Good news for Londoners planning a trip to Pakistan, as Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced the restart of flights from Islamabad to London, starting on March 29. The airline will run four flights every week to London Heathrow, departing from Terminal 4, which marks the comeback of this route after a six-year break.
 |
| PHOTO: PIA |
The London route is PIA’s first and most popular international service.
A PIA representative said the airline is already flying three weekly flights to Manchester, and adding the London service is meant to offer more travel choices for passengers traveling between Pakistan and the UK.
This decision shows PIA’s dedication to rebuilding important international connections and responding to the increasing demand for travel between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.
PIA’s privatisation
Fauji Fertiliser Company (FFC) has officially joined the consortium led by Arif Habib Corporation Limited, which won the bid for a 75 percent stake in PIA.
FFC was one of the initial bidders but had left before the final submission. According to privatisation rules, companies that withdraw can rejoin the successful consortium if they meet certain criteria. Arif Habib confirmed FFC’s involvement, with talks still ongoing to determine its role and investment plan.
The Adviser to the Prime Minister on Privatisation, Muhammad Ali, welcomed FFC’s participation, saying it would add financial and managerial strength to the consortium and boost international reach.
He noted that PIA needed a strong ownership structure to become a competitive global airline and that FFC’s management expertise would support that goal.
PIA is expected to switch to private management by April 2026, once regulatory and cabinet approvals are received.
The consortium’s winning bid of Rs135 billion surpassed the government’s reserve price of Rs100 billion. The government will receive Rs10 billion upfront and keep a 25 percent stake, while the majority of the funds will go back into the airline to improve its finances. Other members of the consortium include Fatima Fertiliser, City Schools, and Lake City Holdings, with the possibility of adding more partners, including FFC or a foreign airline.
The privatisation is a key part of Pakistan’s efforts to reform state-owned enterprises, and it is closely watched by the IMF.
Ali said that PIA has lost Rs500 billion over the past ten years and currently operates only 18 aircraft. Privatisation is meant to bring in fresh capital, grow the fleet, improve services, and ensure long-term sustainability, helping the airline become viable and globally competitive.
#TrendingNow by sharing it.