PIA's first direct flight from Lahore to Manchester takes off after five years

By Wasif Mahmood

LAHORE-- Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has officially resumed direct flights between Lahore and Manchester after a five-year suspension, marking a significant milestone in the airline's international operations and improving connectivity for the Pakistani diaspora in the United Kingdom.

The inaugural direct flight, PK709, departed from Lahore carrying 325 passengers aboard a Boeing 777 aircraft bearing registration AP-BGK. More than 300 passengers had booked seats on the historic flight.

A simple yet dignified inauguration ceremony was held at Lahore Airport to mark the occasion, where a ceremonial cake was cut before departure. PIA Chief Operating Officer Khurram Mushtaq personally bid farewell to passengers. Chief Operating Officer  Allama Iqbal International Airport Irfan Khan, Station Manager PIA Ashfaq Awan, District Manager PIA Wajid Saleem, senior PIA officer Sabir Hussian, Ticket Office Manager Tanveer Qasim and Deputy General Manager Public Relations Athar Awan were also present.

According to a PIA spokesperson, the restoration of direct Lahore-Manchester services represents an important addition to the airline's international network. Passengers welcomed the resumption of the route, describing it as a major convenience for the Pakistani community living in the UK and a step towards strengthening people-to-people ties between Pakistan and Britain.

The airline also confirmed that the first Manchester-to-Lahore flight had departed the previous night after being seen off by PIA's local management and officials from the Manchester Airport Group.

With the launch of the new service, PIA now operates five weekly flights between Pakistan and Manchester—four from Islamabad and one from Lahore. The expansion is expected to provide greater travel convenience for overseas Pakistanis while further enhancing bilateral connectivity between the two countries.