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PIA Officially Resumes Direct Flights To London After 6-Year Gap
A historic moment at Islamabad International Airport as the national carrier marks its return to the UK capital.
The wait is finally over for the capital’s travelers. For the first time in six years, a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)flight has departed directly from Islamabad for London, marking a major milestone in the country’s aviation recovery.
A special ceremony was held at Islamabad International Airport on Sunday to see off the first batch of passengers. The event was attended by British High Commissioner Jane Marriott and PIA Consortium Chairman Arif Habib, signaling the diplomatic and economic importance of this restored route.
The Details You Need To Know
The inaugural flight, PK-785, took off with 329 passengers on board, utilizing the long-haul favorite Boeing 777 aircraft.
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The Schedule: PIA is rolling out a consistent schedule with four weekly flights from Islamabad to London.
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More UK Access: This expansion joins the existing three weekly flights currently operating to Manchester.
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The Arrival: Flights are set to land at London Heathrow Terminal 4, bringing passengers directly into the heart of the UK without the hassle of layovers in the Middle East.
Why This Is A Big Deal
Direct flights from the capital to the UK were suspended in 2020, forcing travelers to opt for longer, more expensive indirect routes. The resumption follows a rigorous safety audit and the removal of the EASA/UK restrictions that had previously sidelined the national carrier.
For many on board the first flight, the mood was celebratory. A raffle draw even saw one lucky passenger win a 660cc car to mark the occasion. Families, students, and business professionals expressed relief at finally having a non-stop, 8-hour connection back on the board.
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