Defence Parliamentary Secretary Osama Sarwar says two additional aircraft will join the national airline’s fleet in January to support operations from Karachi.

Islamabad, October 30, 2026: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will induct four aircraft into its fleet and resume flights from Karachi to the United Kingdom in January 2027, Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Osama Sarwar told the National Assembly on Friday.

Responding to a Calling Attention Notice concerning Karachi’s exclusion from the operational routes of the recently leased Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner operating between Pakistan and the UK, Sarwar said PIA had been privatised and was now operating under an independent board of directors.

He emphasised that the airline could not be directed to operate specific routes, as operational decisions rested with its management.

However, he assured lawmakers that PIA would resume flights from Karachi to the UK in January next year.

Sarwar also said the national airline had already resumed flights to the UK, crediting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the development.

He added that PIA was acquiring four aircraft to expand its fleet and restore operations on additional routes.

According to the parliamentary secretary, the first aircraft would resume operations on November 1, while the second would arrive on November 15. Its operational route would be finalised afterwards.

The remaining two aircraft are expected to join the fleet in January 2027 and support the resumption of flight operations from Karachi.

The development is expected to improve international connectivity for passengers travelling between Karachi and the United Kingdom.