Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has officially resumed its flights to the United Kingdom after a five-year hiatus. Flight PK-701, a Boeing 777, took off from Islamabad International Airport bound for Manchester, marking the long-awaited return of the national carrier’s UK operations.

At the inauguration ceremony held at Islamabad Airport on October 25, 2025, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and British High Commissioner Jane Marriott were present to celebrate the milestone. Minister Asif expressed his appreciation for the cooperation of the British High Commissioner and acknowledged the efforts of Pakistan’s diplomatic staff in making the resumption possible.

One of the key points highlighted during the ceremony was the government’s commitment to transforming PIA into a profitable and competitive airline. Minister Asif reiterated the government’s goal of reviving the national carrier, making it a viable player in the global aviation market.

The resumption of flights to the UK comes after significant changes, including strict reviews of pilot qualifications to ensure compliance with UK/EU aviation standards.

Flight PK-701 is scheduled to land in Manchester at 5 PM PST after a non-stop, approximately five-hour journey. A special ceremony is also planned at Manchester Airport to welcome the inaugural flight and celebrate the return of PIA’s services to the UK.