Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has resumed its direct services to London Heathrow, marking a significant development in Pakistan’s international aviation connectivity following a suspension that had remained in place since 2020.
PIA restarted its Islamabad-London Heathrow service on March 29, 2026, operating three flights per week. The resumption followed the airline’s receipt of UK Third Country Operator (TCO) approval in September 2025, allowing it to restore scheduled services to the United Kingdom.
The airline has also resumed its Lahore-London Heathrow service, operating weekly flights using Boeing 777 aircraft. According to OAG data cited by CAPA, PIA remained the sole scheduled operator on both the Islamabad-London and Lahore-London routes following their resumption.
The return of direct flights to London represents an important development for Pakistan’s international air connectivity. London is a major destination for business, education, tourism and visiting friends and relatives, while Heathrow serves as one of the key international aviation gateways for passengers travelling between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.
The restoration of the routes also reflects progress in PIA’s efforts to rebuild its international network after several years of restrictions on UK operations. The airline had previously been unable to operate direct services to the UK following the suspension of its European operations.
PIA’s return to Heathrow has also involved the management of valuable airport slots. In February 2025, the airline had sought authorisation from the UK Airports Coordination Limited (ACL) to lease two London Heathrow slots to Saudia for the summer 2025 season, covering the period from April 5 to October 25, 2025. The subsequent restoration of PIA’s own Heathrow services has provided the airline with an opportunity to re-establish direct connectivity between Pakistan and the UK.
The Islamabad and Lahore services are particularly significant for Pakistan’s aviation and tourism sectors. Direct air links can improve accessibility for international visitors, facilitate business travel and support passenger movement between major Pakistani cities and one of Europe’s most important aviation hubs.
The use of Boeing 777 aircraft on the Lahore-London service also provides substantial passenger capacity on the route, supporting the airline’s efforts to serve demand between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.
With both Islamabad and Lahore now connected directly with London Heathrow through PIA services, the airline has taken another step towards rebuilding its international route network and strengthening Pakistan’s links with the global aviation market.
