Overview

• Britain’s Civil Aviation Authority has issued PIA a Foreign Aircraft Operating Permit, providing the final approval needed to resume commercial services.
• PIA will launch two weekly Islamabad–Manchester flights from October 25, operating on Tuesdays and Saturdays, with bookings available.
• Operations will expand in phases to include Birmingham and London following the Manchester restart, according to official announcements.
• The UK Department for Transport has confirmed ACC3 cargo security designations for PIA through August 2030 for routes from Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi.
• Pakistan’s removal from the UK Air Safety List in July 2025 and subsequent TCO approval cleared the path for the carrier’s regulated return to UK airspace.