Major European Airline to Start Direct Flights to Pakistan
新闻台署名 来源：新华社、《黎明报》、《阿拉伯新闻》、阿纳多卢通讯社与《分钟镜报》。由 GSRRA 编辑部翻译并节选。
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif announced that Pakistan has approved the designation of UK airline Norse Atlantic Airways to operate direct flights to the country.
In a statement, Asif said Norse Atlantic will launch direct flight operations from London, Manchester, and Birmingham to Islamabad. He said the approval reflects Pakistan’s efforts to expand international air connectivity and improve access to the capital.
Asif said the growing presence of international airlines in Pakistan will create a competitive aviation environment. He added that increased competition will lead to improved service standards and help bring balance to airfares for passengers.
The defense minister also welcomed the resumption of Pakistan International Airlines flights to the United Kingdom. He said that after a six-year gap, PIA will restart direct flights to London Heathrow Airport from March 29, 2026.
Asif described the development as a major achievement and credited the continuous efforts of Pakistan’s civil aviation authorities and PIA for restoring the airline’s international standing. He said previous damage to the airline’s reputation stemmed from what he termed an irresponsible statement by a former aviation minister.
He said PIA will initially operate four flights per week on the London route, with plans to increase frequency in the future. Asif added that the move aims to reconnect overseas Pakistanis more closely with their home country.
Reference Link:- https://propakistani.pk/2026/01/02/major-european-airline-to-start-direct-flights-to-pakistan/
Zamir Ahmed Awan is the founder and Chair of the Global Silk Route Research Alliance, a think tank in Islamabad. He studied engineering at Shanghai University in the 1980s, and years later he went back to China as Pakistan's science counsellor in Beijing, from 2010 until 2016, working on science and higher education cooperation between the two countries.…
