Islamabad-Birmingham direct flights to begin as PIA targets 23 weekly UK services

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is expanding its operations in the United Kingdom by introducing three direct weekly flights between Islamabad and Birmingham from December 1 offering additional travel options for passengers heading to Britain.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is expanding its operations in the United Kingdom by introducing three direct weekly flights between Islamabad and Birmingham from December 1 offering additional travel options for passengers heading to Britain.

The national flag carrier announced on Wednesday that the new service would initially operate three times a week with flights scheduled for Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The route is intended to improve connectivity for Pakistanis living in northern and central parts of the UK, as well as passengers travelling between the two countries.

A PIA spokesperson said Britain remained an important market for the airline and that the carrier was working to increase its overall flight frequency between Pakistan and the UK to 23 services per week.

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The latest announcement follows the airline’s recent decision to expand its London operations. From October 27, PIA increased its weekly flights to the British capital to seven, comprising five services between Islamabad and London and two connecting Lahore with the UK capital.

The airline said the additional London flights reflected rising passenger demand and improved confidence in its operations.

PIA resumed direct services to Britain in October 2025 after UK authorities lifted restrictions that had prevented Pakistani airlines from operating in the country for five years. The restrictions were imposed in June 2020 following a fatal crash involving a PIA Airbus A320 in Karachi that claimed nearly 100 lives. The accident was attributed to human error.

The ban had also affected the airline’s access to destinations across the European Union and the United States.

Britain lifted restrictions on Pakistani carriers in July 2025 after reviewing aviation safety arrangements and determining that the country’s standards were satisfactory and consistent with international requirements.

The new Birmingham connection marks another step in PIA’s efforts to rebuild and expand its international network. With additional services to London and the planned Islamabad-Birmingham route the airline is seeking to strengthen links with one of its important overseas markets and provide greater convenience to passengers travelling between Pakistan and Britain.