Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight PK-785 departed from Islamabad for London on Sunday with 325 passengers on board, marking the formal resumption of the national carrier’s operations in England’s capital after six years.

The development follows PIA’s return to the UK market in October 2025 with flights to Manchester after British authorities lifted a ban on the airline earlier in July. The carrier is currently operating four weekly flights to Manchester and is now planning to gradually expand its footprint across other UK cities.

The May 2020 crash of an Airbus A320 in Karachi, which killed 97 people, had suspended PIA's UK operations. The incident, coupled with concerns over pilot licensing standards, led to restrictions by UK and European regulators.

Pakistan Secretary of Defense Lieutenant General (retd.) Muhammad Ali and British High Commissioner Jane Marriott witnessed the inaugural flight. PIA Consortium Chairman Arif Habib and senior aviation officials attended a simple yet dignified ceremony at Islamabad International Airport.

The carrier is also set to launch weekly flights from Lahore to London starting March 30. Initially, PIA will operate four weekly flights between Pakistan and London, with three departing from Islamabad and one from Lahore.

London was PIA’s first international destination, and the airline shares a 71-year-old history with this route, according to a PIA spokesperson.

Meanwhile, Heathrow Airport has organized a ceremony to welcome the PIA flight in London. Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the UK, Dr. Mohammad Faisal, will receive the flight and see off passengers departing on the first return flight from London.

Source: Business Recorder