Pakistan International Airlines has signed an agreement with Norse Atlantic for two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners to expand UK services. PIA expects the aircraft to join its operations in November 2026.
The partnership will support direct long-haul flights between Pakistan and multiple destinations in the United Kingdom. Moreover, PIA described the addition as the beginning of its expansion to meet rising demand and strengthen global connectivity.
Dreamliners to expand Pakistan–UK flights
PIA’s statement carries an October 8 date. Meanwhile, Norse announced the agreement on October 9, anticipating operations from early November. However, neither announcement specified airports, flight frequencies or financial terms.
Under the ACMI arrangement, Norse will provide aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance. As a result, PIA can increase operating capacity through the leasing partnership. At the same time, Norse can redeploy aircraft returning from its previous ACMI operation.
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PIA Chief Executive Officer Air Vice Marshal Amir Hayat highlighted the importance of the British market.
“UK is an important market for PIA, and this agreement will allow us to expand the much-needed capacity and provide greater choice and connectivity for passengers travelling on these routes.”
PIA targets growing demand for direct travel
Hayat also linked the agreement to demand for direct flights.
“We are pleased to partner with Norse Atlantic as we continue to strengthen our international network and respond to strong demand for direct travel between the two countries.”
Furthermore, he described the aircraft as a first for the Pakistani market.
“This is first set of Dreamliners that is being adopted by Pakistani market and we hope it will provide dream journey to our valued guests who been expecting premium services from PIA”.
Meanwhile, Norse Atlantic CEO Eivind Roald said the agreement advanced the airline’s capacity redeployment strategy.
“As previously communicated, we have been working to redeploy capacity into new ACMI( Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance) opportunities, and we are now delivering that strategy.”
He also highlighted the Pakistani community in Britain.
“We are pleased to support PIA’s long-haul capacity expansion and to strengthen connectivity between the UK and Pakistan by providing the large Pakistani community in the UK with more options for travel between the two countries.We see this as the start for a strategic partnership between the two companies.”
Norse redeploys aircraft after IndiGo agreement
The deal follows Norse’s July announcement that its ACMI cooperation with India’s IndiGo would end on November 1. That decision involved the return of five remaining aircraft. Consequently, Norse identified opportunities for new leasing agreements and expansion of its own network.
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Norse operates 12 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. In addition to scheduled flights, it provides charter and ACMI services.
According to Norse, ACMI agreements reduce its exposure to fluctuating passenger demand and fuel prices. The airline is also discussing potential contracts with other international carriers. For PIA, however, the immediate focus remains additional capacity on Pakistan–UK routes.
