PIA Is Back in the UK: Heathrow and Manchester Flights, Privatisation and What It Means

PIA is back in the UK, and it has a new owner. Pakistan International Airlines restarted flights to Manchester in October 2025 and returned to London Heathrow in March 2026, ending a ban of more than four years. In June 2026 a private consortium took control of the national airline, with plans to more than double its fleet.

This guide explains why PIA was banned, how it got back, which UK routes it flies now, what privatisation means for passengers, and how PIA compares with connecting through the Gulf. Facts are checked against the sources listed at the end.

PIA at a Glance in 2026

Detail	What you need to know
Full name	Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)
UK airports	London Heathrow (Terminal 4) and Manchester
Heathrow restart	Islamabad from 29 March 2026; Lahore from 30 March 2026
Manchester restart	October 2025
Owner	Arif Habib-led consortium (75%) and the government of Pakistan (25%)
Privatisation price	Rs135 billion (about US$482 million) for 75%
Fleet	About 18 aircraft at the time of sale, with a target of 38–40 within four years

A Short History of Pakistan International Airlines

Pakistan International Airlines was formed in 1955 and grew quickly into one of the best-known airlines in Asia. In its early decades it was admired for its service and modern fleet, and in 1985 it even helped Emirates get started by leasing the new Dubai airline aircraft and providing technical support.

From the 1990s onwards, the national carrier struggled with heavy losses, an ageing fleet, overstaffing and frequent changes of management. Successive governments tried to restructure or sell it, but plans stalled many times. By the early 2020s, the airline depended on state support to keep flying, which is why its sale in 2025 was such a significant moment.

Why PIA Was Banned From Europe and the UK

On 22 May 2020, flight PK8303, an Airbus A320, crashed in a residential area of Karachi while trying to land, killing 97 people. Two passengers survived. In the weeks that followed, Pakistan’s aviation minister said that a large number of the country’s pilots held licences that were suspect, which triggered a safety crisis.

On 30 June 2020, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) suspended the airline’s authorisation to fly to the EU. The UK took the same step, and several other countries followed. For more than four years, it could not fly to Europe or the UK, and travellers between Britain and Pakistan had to connect through other airports.

Why the ban mattered so much

The UK is home to a large British-Pakistani community, and flights between Manchester, Birmingham, London and Pakistan have always been busy, especially around Eid, weddings and the summer holidays. Losing the only non-stop airline on these routes meant longer journeys and, for many families, higher fares.

The Road Back: How the Airline Returned

Getting the ban lifted took years of work by Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority and the airline, including reviews of pilot licensing and safety oversight.

Date	Milestone
30 June 2020	EASA suspends PIA’s authorisation to fly to the EU
29 November 2024	EASA lifts the suspension
January 2025	PIA restarts Islamabad–Paris flights
16 July 2025	The UK Civil Aviation Authority lifts its ban
October 2025	Flights to Manchester restart
23 December 2025	Arif Habib-led consortium wins the privatisation auction
29–30 March 2026	Flights from Islamabad and Lahore to London Heathrow restart
29 June 2026	The consortium takes control of PIA

PIA UK Flights in 2026

The airline now flies to two UK airports. The schedule is still being rebuilt, so frequencies can change from season to season.

Route	Status	Notes
Islamabad – London Heathrow	Restarted 29 March 2026	Uses Heathrow Terminal 4
Lahore – London Heathrow	Restarted 30 March 2026	Uses Heathrow Terminal 4
Islamabad – Manchester	Restarted October 2025	Four flights a week from 3 July 2026
Lahore – Manchester	Added in 2026	One flight a week from 3 July 2026

The return to Heathrow ended a six-year absence from the airport. The airline secured four weekly slots that had been used temporarily by Turkish Airlines while PIA was banned.

PIA Heathrow flights: Terminal 4 tips

The airline uses Terminal 4 at Heathrow, which is linked to central London by the Elizabeth line and the Piccadilly line, as well as by road. If you are connecting from another airline at Heathrow on a separate ticket, allow plenty of time, as moving between terminals can take a while.

PIA Privatisation: Who Owns the Airline Now?

Pakistan had tried to sell its national airline for years as part of its economic reform programme with the International Monetary Fund. The sale finally went through on 23 December 2025, when a consortium led by the Arif Habib Group won with a bid of Rs135 billion (about US$482 million) for 75% of the airline. That valued the business at around Rs180 billion.

• Reinvestment: about 90% of the money paid is going back into the airline rather than to the government.
• Investment pledge: the new owners must invest up to Rs125 billion, including in new aircraft.
• Fleet plan: from about 18 aircraft at the time of sale to 38–40 within four years, with a longer-term ambition of around 64.
• Passengers: a target to grow from about 4 million to 7 million passengers a year within four years.
• Staff: no layoffs for at least a year, with pay and benefits unchanged in that period.
• Government share: the government kept 25%, which the consortium had an option to buy.

The consortium took control on 29 June 2026, with full management control. Fauji Fertiliser Company later joined the consortium as an investor.

What Privatisation Means for Passengers

For most travellers, the effect of privatisation will be gradual rather than immediate. Tickets booked before the handover remain valid, and changes and refunds follow PIA’s published fare rules. Over the next few years, the bigger changes are likely to be:

• Newer aircraft: a larger fleet should mean fewer cancellations caused by aircraft shortages and more modern cabins.
• More routes and flights: the owners plan to grow passenger numbers, which means more frequencies and possibly new destinations in Europe and the Middle East.
• Service improvements: private owners usually focus on punctuality, customer service and digital tools such as apps and online check-in.
• Pricing: fares are likely to become more commercial, with more fare types and paid extras.

These are plans and expectations rather than guarantees, so judge the airline on how it performs on your route.

The Fleet Today and Tomorrow

The airline flies a mix of Boeing 777 wide-body jets on long-haul routes, Airbus A320 family aircraft on regional and medium-haul routes, and ATR turboprops on short domestic flights to smaller cities. Long-haul flights to the UK are normally operated by the larger wide-body aircraft, which offer economy and business class cabins.

With only about 18 aircraft at the time of the sale, the fleet was small for a national airline, and a single technical problem could cause knock-on delays across the network. The new owners plan to lease and buy more aircraft over the next four years, which should make schedules more reliable and allow more frequent flights to the UK and Europe.

When booking, check the aircraft type on your flight. Newer or refurbished aircraft are likely to offer better seats and entertainment, while older ones may have fewer comforts on a long flight.

How to Book and Get the Best Fare

• Compare first: use a flight comparison search to see non-stop and connecting options side by side, including total journey time.
• Book direct for changes: booking on the airline’s own website or app usually makes changes and refunds simpler than going through a third party.
• Travel agents can help: many UK communities have specialist agents for Pakistan travel, which can be useful for complex family bookings.
• Watch the flight code: the airline’s two-letter code is PK, so flight numbers appear as PK followed by digits.
• Be flexible: moving your trip by a day or two around busy holiday dates can save a lot of money.

You can start your search on the FlightSelects flight search to compare routes and fares between the UK and Pakistan.

PIA vs Gulf Airlines: Direct or Connecting?

Before the comeback, most travellers between the UK and Pakistan flew with Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad or Turkish Airlines, connecting in Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi or Istanbul. Those options are still there, and each has strengths.

Factor	PIA non-stop	Gulf or Turkish connection
Journey time	Shortest, with no connection	Longer, with a stop of a few hours
Choice of times	Limited, a few flights a week	Usually several flights a day
Destinations in Pakistan	Islamabad and Lahore from the UK	Wider choice, including Karachi, Peshawar and others
Baggage	Check your fare’s allowance	Often generous on economy fares
Disruption	Fewer flights to rebook onto	More alternatives if a flight is cancelled

If you value a short journey and fly between London or Manchester and Islamabad or Lahore, PIA is hard to beat. If you need flexibility, a different city in Pakistan, or the reassurance of frequent alternatives, a connecting airline may suit you better.

Flights to Europe

The return to Europe started before the UK comeback. Islamabad–Paris flights restarted in January 2025, soon after EASA lifted its suspension. As the fleet grows, the airline is expected to look at more European destinations, but you should only rely on routes that are actually on sale.

For travellers from other parts of Europe, connecting via Paris or London on PIA, or via the Gulf on another airline, are the main options. Compare total journey time and price, including baggage, before you book.

Travelling Between the UK and Pakistan: A Practical Guide

Whether you fly non-stop or connect, a little preparation makes the journey between Britain and Pakistan much easier.

Arriving in Islamabad and Lahore

Islamabad International Airport opened in 2018 and replaced the old Benazir Bhutto airport. It sits some distance outside the city, so plan your onward transport in advance, especially for late-night arrivals. Allama Iqbal International Airport serves Lahore and is closer to the city. At both airports, arrival halls can be very busy when several international flights land together.

Baggage tips for family trips

• Weigh every bag at home: excess baggage at the airport is expensive, and families often carry gifts on these routes.
• Know whether your allowance is by weight or by piece: this affects how you should pack, so check your ticket.
• Pack fragile items in your cabin bag: and keep medicines and important documents with you.
• Label everything: put your name, phone number and destination address inside and outside each bag.

Your passenger rights

UK passenger rights rules cover all flights departing from UK airports, whatever the airline. For flights into the UK, these rules usually apply only when the airline is a UK or EU carrier. That means a flight from Islamabad or Lahore to the UK on a non-UK airline may not be covered in the same way, so keep travel insurance in place for the whole trip.

Who Should Choose the Non-Stop Flight?

The non-stop service is usually the best choice for travellers who live near Heathrow or Manchester, are heading to Islamabad or Lahore, and want the shortest journey. It is especially useful for elderly relatives and families with young children, for whom avoiding a connection is a big advantage.

A connecting airline may be better if you are flying to Karachi, Peshawar, Multan or another city, if you need daily flights, or if you want to earn miles in a programme such as Emirates Skywards or Qatar Airways Privilege Club.

When to Fly for the Best Prices

Demand between the UK and Pakistan follows clear seasonal patterns. The busiest and most expensive times are usually the two Eid holidays, whose dates move each year with the Islamic lunar calendar, the UK summer school holidays in July and August, and the Christmas and New Year period. Weddings, which often take place in the cooler months, also push up demand in winter.

Quieter periods, such as late January to March and October to early December outside the main holidays, often have lower fares and more seat availability. If your dates are flexible, compare a few weeks either side of your ideal travel date before you book. Booking several months ahead is usually the safest way to secure a reasonable fare for peak dates, as the cheapest seats sell out first.

7 Essential Tips for Flying PIA From the UK

1. Book early around Eid and summer: UK–Pakistan flights fill up fast at peak times, and fares rise sharply close to departure.
2. Check the baggage allowance: allowances depend on your fare type and route, so confirm before you pack, especially if you are carrying gifts.
3. Check the schedule close to departure: routes are still being rebuilt, and times can change.
4. Arrive early at Heathrow Terminal 4: check-in queues for full flights can be long.
5. Have your documents ready: make sure your passport and any visa or Pakistani identity documents you need are valid.
6. Compare non-stop and connecting fares: sometimes a Gulf connection is cheaper or has better baggage, and sometimes PIA wins.
7. Follow the power bank rules: carry them in cabin baggage only and check the latest rules in our power bank guide.

What to Do If Your Flight Is Changed or Cancelled

With a growing network and a small fleet, schedule changes can happen. If the airline changes or cancels your flight, check the options it offers, which usually include a new flight or a refund. Keep all emails and messages, and if you booked through a travel agent, contact them first.

Flights departing from the UK are covered by UK passenger rights rules, which can include care, rebooking and in some cases compensation for long delays and cancellations, depending on the cause. Check the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s guidance if you think you are entitled to more than the airline is offering.

What Comes Next

The next few years will show whether privatisation can turn the national carrier into a reliable, growing airline. Things to watch include:

• New aircraft deliveries: progress from about 18 aircraft towards the target of 38–40.
• More UK frequencies: whether Heathrow and Manchester flights increase as aircraft arrive.
• New routes: any return to other UK or European cities.
• Punctuality and service: the clearest sign of whether the new owners are making a difference.

See our PIA guide for baggage allowances, check-in and fares, and our airline guides for other airlines flying between the UK and Pakistan.

PIA FAQs

Facts checked in October 2026 against Arab News on the privatisation, Gulf News on the Heathrow restart and Dawn on the return to Europe. Schedules change, so check with PIA before you travel.