PIA to add Dreamliners on UK routes from November

Summary

• PIA will add two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners to its routes between Pakistan and the UK from November, under a leasing deal with Norse Atlantic Airways.
• The PIA agreement also lets Norse keep a key leasing contract running.
• For PIA passengers, the deal means bigger, newer aircraft on one of the busiest routes for the airline, starting next month.

AI Generated Summary

PIA will add two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners to its routes between Pakistan and the UK from November, under a leasing deal with Norse Atlantic Airways.

The Norwegian carrier announced the agreement on Friday. Under the arrangement, known as ACMI, Norse supplies the aircraft along with crews, maintenance and insurance. PIA, in turn, pays a fee. Flights should start at the beginning of November and link several cities in the two countries.

What the deal means for PIA

PIA chief executive Amir Hayat said the UK is a key destination for the airline. “UK is an important market for PIA,” he said. The deal, he added, would bring much-needed extra seats and give travellers more choice on these routes.

Hayat also noted strong demand for direct travel between the two countries. According to him, these will be the first Dreamliners flying for a Pakistani airline, and he hoped they would offer passengers a premium journey.