PIA receives first Boeing 787-9

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) welcomed its first Boeing 787-9 at Islamabad International Airport on November 1, 2026. The aircraft, operated by Norse Atlantic Airways and arriving from London-Heathrow under flight number PIA PK786, marks the start of a lease agreement involving two Dreamliners.

Lease agreement details

The contract is based on an ACMI formula — for Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance — also called a wet lease. Norse provides the aircraft and crews, and takes care of maintenance and insurance; PIA uses them for its commercial services.

Aircraft specifications

According to the Pakistani newspaper The News, the aircraft is eight years old and made its first commercial flight in May 2018. The newspaper attributes a configuration of 358 seats to it, a figure also cited by other local media, though not included in the initial press release by Norse announcing the partnership. PIA confirms the presence of an in-flight entertainment system on board.

Importance of the British market

PIA's general director, Amir Hayat, emphasized the importance of the British market in the company's strategy, stating in a press release published by Norse on October 9 that "The United Kingdom is an important market for PIA, and this agreement will allow us to increase the capacity we need and offer passengers more choices and connections on these routes."

Expansion of London services

The Dreamliner will first serve the reconquest of the British market. PIA restored its service to London-Heathrow on March 29, 2026, after nearly six years of interruption. The resumption was organized around three weekly rotations from Islamabad and one from Lahore, the latter connection having restarted on March 30.

Increased flight frequencies

Since then, the company has announced an enhancement of its London program, planning to increase, as of October 27, the number of weekly flights between Islamabad and Heathrow from three to five, and from one to two between Lahore and the London airport. A total of seven rotations per week, compared to four previously.

Manchester route expansion

Manchester is the other pillar of this presence in the United Kingdom: the connection from Islamabad increased from three to four weekly frequencies in July 2026. The two 787-9 will support the increase in capacity between the two countries. This expansion comes after the lifting of British restrictions.

Lifting of UK restrictions

The United Kingdom government removed Pakistan from its air safety list on July 16, 2025, paving the way for the return of Pakistani carriers, subject to the necessary individual authorizations. PIA then obtained its British authorization as a third country carrier in September 2025, before its return to Heathrow in the following spring.

Norse Atlantic's goals

For Norse Atlantic, the agreement also responds to the goals of the company, which is developing its wet lease operations alongside its own regular network. When announcing the partnership, the Norwegian company explained that it could reallocate to PIA capacities previously committed to another ACMI operation.

Support for PIA's expansion

Eivind Roald, general director of Norse Atlantic, stated in the October 9 press release that "We are happy to support PIA's expansion of its long-haul capacities and strengthen the connections between the United Kingdom and Pakistan, offering the large Pakistani community in the United Kingdom more travel opportunities between the two countries."

Renovation of 777 fleet

The arrival of the 787 does not necessarily mean the abandonment of the Boeing 777. PIA has also launched a cabin renovation program for some of its historic wide-body aircraft. Presented in October, the project concerns five 777s, with options for four additional aircraft. It includes fully horizontal reclining business class seats, upgrading of economy class seats, and installation of 60-watt power outlets.