Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has resumed direct flights from the UK for the first time in five years, with the launch of a route between Manchester and Islamabad.
The airline resumed flying to the UK on Saturday (25 October) after the UK removed the carrier from its Air Safety List in July – this follows a similar move by the EU in late 2024.
PIA had previously been suspended from operating to Europe after the crash of a domestic flight in May 2020 but the airline has now completed a programme of safety improvements.
The carrier will operate four weekly flights on the Manchester-Islamabad route. It becomes the first service between the UK and Pakistan operating outside of London.
Muhammad Amir Hayat, CEO of Pakistan International Airlines, added: “We have worked tirelessly to not only rectify past challenges but to establish a robust and world-class aviation safety framework.
“The return of PIA to the UK is a direct result of these efforts and a clear signal of our renewed operational integrity and financial health, promising a reliable and affordable service for all."
Chris Woodroofe, Manchester Airport’s managing director, added: “For a long time many thousands of people of Pakistani origin who live in the region haven’t been able to travel directly to Pakistan from an airport in the North – but now that changes thanks to our partnership with Pakistan International Airlines.”
Virgin Atlantic had previously flown between Manchester and Islamabad before suspending the route in 2022.
PIA also hopes to start operating services from Birmingham and London to Pakistan “as demand dictates”.