Islamabad Approves UK’s Norse Atlantic to Begin Flights to Pakistan

Britain’s Norse Airline – (Special Correspondent / Web |Desk) – Pakistan has granted Britain’s Norse Atlantic permission to operate flights to the country, the nation’s defense minister confirmed Thursday. The announcement comes shortly after the privatization of the state-owned Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).

The UK hosts over 1.6 million Pakistanis. PIA resumed flights to the UK in October last year, following the lifting of a nearly five-year ban on Pakistani carriers in July, which was initially imposed due to a pilot licensing controversy.

Currently, PIA operates three weekly flights to Manchester and plans to launch direct flights to London in March, a move confirmed by the airline’s spokesperson after the privatization of the financially troubled carrier.

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In a post on X late Thursday, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif announced the South Asian country approved the designation of Norse Atlantic, which will operate direct flights from London, Manchester and Birmingham to the Pakistani capital of Islamabad.

• Pakistan approves Britain’s Norse Atlantic to operate flights to Islamabad from London, Manchester, and Birmingham.

• Announcement comes shortly after Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) was privatized on December 23.

• UK hosts over 1.6 million Pakistanis, making direct flights highly significant for travel and business.

• PIA resumed UK flights in October after nearly five-year ban lifted over pilot licensing issues.

• PIA currently operates three weekly flights to Manchester and plans four weekly flights to London starting March 29.

• PIA’s London flights will operate from Heathrow Terminal 4, a modern and high-standard terminal.

“The increase in operations of international airlines to Pakistan will promote a competitive environment leading to world class service and balance in fares,” he said.

Meanwhile, PIA will operate London flights from Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 4, which the airline said is recognized as one of its most modern terminals.

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“London was PIA’s very first international destination and remains one of its most important and attractive routes,” the airline spokesperson said. ““Starting Mar. 29, PIA will operate four weekly flights from Islamabad to London.”

Pakistan’s government succeeded in its efforts to privatize PIA on Dec. 23, when a consortium, led by Arif Habib Group, secured a 75 percent stake in the airline for Rs135 billion ($482 million) after several rounds of bidding, valuing the airline at Rs180 billion ($643 million).

The sale marked Pakistan’s most aggressive attempt in decades to reform the debt-ridden national airline, which had accumulated more than $2.8 billion in financial losses. The government said it would end decades of state-funded bailouts and help revive the airline.