ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will resume its United Kingdom operations with an Islamabad-Manchester flight today after a long hiatus of five years.
The first flight will depart from Islamabad for Manchester as, initially, PIA will operate two weekly flights to Manchester: one on Tuesday and the other on Saturday.
All arrangements for the flight resumption at the Islamabad Airport are complete.
A large portrait of a Manchester building has also been installed at federal capital airport.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif will specially attend a ceremony at the airport marking the resumption of the flights.
The flight ban was originally imposed on PIA in July 2020, following a statement by the then aviation minister, Ghulam Sarwar Awan, regarding the qualification of the airline’s pilots.
Islamabad to Manchester
British High Commissioner Jane Marriott has also welcomed PIA’s return to British skies, calling it a “historic moment” and a positive step toward strengthening bilateral relationship.
She said the direct air link will bring Pakistan and the UK closer, enhancing travel, trade, and tourism opportunities.
UK authorities also appreciated the PIA efforts, noting that the restored service will provide much-needed convenience to the Pakistani community residing in the UK.
The UK is Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade valued at £4.7 billion annually.
