Business & Finance

PIA Receives First Boeing 787‑9 Dreamliner from London

By Aftab Khan

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) received its first Boeing 787‑9 Dreamliner on Sunday, arriving in Islamabad on flight PK‑786 from London Heathrow Airport. The aircraft was leased from Norwegian carrier Norse Atlantic Airways under an Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance (ACMI) wet‑lease agreement, meaning Norse Atlantic provides the plane, crew, maintenance and insurance. PIA Chief Executive Officer Air Vice Marshal Amir Hayat and his team welcomed the aircraft at Islamabad International Airport.

Aircraft Owners and Operators Association (AOOA) Pakistan said the induction of the Dreamliner is a significant milestone for PIA and a step toward the airline’s revival. The association noted that the new aircraft would strengthen PIA’s international operations and improve connectivity between Pakistan and the United Kingdom, offering better travel facilities for overseas Pakistanis. AOOA also emphasized that modern aircraft alone will not restore the airline’s standing; improvements in service standards, punctuality, quality facilities, a modern booking system and customer service are essential.

In June, the Arif Habib Consortium took over PIA’s management through PIA Equity Ltd after completing the privatisation process. The transaction involved a total investment commitment of Rs180 billion, including Rs125 billion in fresh capital and Rs55 billion payable to the government. The new management has identified fleet renewal, route expansion and service improvements as key investment areas.

Earlier in October, PIA signed an agreement with Norse Atlantic Airways for two Boeing 787‑9 Dreamliners under an ACMI arrangement to increase long‑haul capacity and support expansion on UK routes. PIA resumed direct flights to London in March after a six‑year gap, initially operating three weekly flights from Islamabad and one from Lahore, raising the weekly UK flights to seven.