Pakistan explores Airbus, Rolls-Royce options for PIA fleet renewal

Pakistan is exploring aircraft leasing and potential procurement arrangements involving Airbus aircraft and Rolls-Royce engines for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), as the carrier looks to modernise its fleet.

Pakistan is exploring aircraft leasing and potential procurement arrangements involving Airbus aircraft and Rolls-Royce engines for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), as the carrier looks to modernise its fleet.

The options were discussed at a meeting between Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and British High Commissioner Jane Marriott in Islamabad on Thursday, according to an official government statement.

The British side briefed Khan on possible aircraft and engine arrangements involving Airbus and Rolls-Royce, including potential export credit support. Leasing was discussed as a way to meet the airline’s immediate fleet requirements while longer-term procurement options are considered.

Khan said PIA’s direct international routes were an important commercial asset, adding that improvements in service standards, operational reliability and fleet modernisation were needed to rebuild passenger confidence.

The discussions follow a meeting in New York in September between Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and US Export-Import Bank Chairman John Jovanovich, during which Pakistan explored financing for PIA aircraft and engines, particularly Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

Aurangzeb also raised the possibility of financing aircraft pre-delivery payments and obtaining spare parts to return grounded Boeing 777 aircraft to service, according to a government statement.

A consortium led by Arif Habib won a bid for a 75 percent stake in PIA for Rs135 billion in December 2025, as Pakistan pursued the privatisation of the loss-making national carrier.

Fleet renewal is among the challenges facing PIA as it seeks to improve operational reliability, expand international services and restore passenger confidence.

The aviation talks were part of broader discussions on Pakistan-UK trade and investment cooperation, including healthcare, information technology, agriculture, livestock, financial services and minerals-related services.

The two sides also discussed ways for Pakistani businesses to strengthen their brands and expand access to international markets, including opportunities for food businesses and restaurant brands in the United Kingdom.