Virgin Atlantic is planning to launch flights between the UK
and Pakistan in December, including services from Heathrow to Lahore and
Islamabad and from Manchester to Islamabad, subject to regulatory approvals.
According to the airline, Pakistan has the seventh largest
diaspora in the world, leading to fast-growing demand for flights to visit
friends and family from customers in the UK and US. The new services from
Heathrow will offer connections for passengers travelling from North America,
including New York JFK, Los Angeles, Washington, Boston and San Francisco, the
carrier said. Connections from Europe will also be available through codeshare
and interline partners.
Details of flight times will be available when the routes go
on sale in September. Passengers will be able to choose from different cabin
classes, including Upper Class, Premium and Economy Light, Classic and Delight.
Virgin Atlantic resumed flying in July and recently secured the backing of its creditors for a restructuring and recapitalisation plan worth £1.2 billion.