Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) launched its inaugural direct flight from Lahore to Manchester on Thursday. The first flight carried 325 passengers. PIA’s local management and representatives of the Manchester Airport Group saw off the passengers at Lahore Airport.
Flight Operations Expanded
This new service increases PIA’s weekly flights between Pakistan and Manchester to five. The airline will operate four weekly flights from Islamabad. Meanwhile, one weekly flight will depart from Lahore.
Safety Clearance and Future Plans
PIA originally resumed direct flights to Manchester in October 2025. This came after a five-year suspension. The resumption followed a major decision by the United Kingdom on July 16, 2025. The UK removed the national carrier from its Air Safety List on that date.
Initially, the airline only announced four weekly flights between Islamabad and Manchester. However, management now plans to expand operations further. PIA intends to introduce direct services to Birmingham and London in the next phase.
