Norse Atlantic cleared to launch direct services to Islamabad from UK

Planned services include routes from London, Manchester and Birmingham

UK-based Norse Atlantic Airways has been granted permission by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to operate flights to Pakistan.

In the first phase, the airline is expected to operate flights from London to Islamabad, with planned direct services from Manchester and Birmingham to follow.

Pakistan has approved the designation of UK airline - Norse Atlantic. The airline will operate direct flights from London, Manchester and Birmingham to the Capital City - Islamabad.
The increase in operations of International airlines to Pakistan will promote a competitive…

— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) January 1, 2026

Asif said the airline’s entry “will promote a competitive environment leading to world-class service and balance in fares.”

Read: PIA to restart London route, its most popular international service

British Airways already operates flights to Pakistan, making Norse Atlantic the second UK carrier offering direct services. CAA officials said the new operations are expected to expand competition in the aviation sector.

Separately, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announced on December 30 that it will resume direct flights to London after a six-year gap, operating four weekly services from Islamabad from March 29.

PIA is already operating three weekly flights to Manchester, a route that resumed on October 25 after a five-year suspension. The service initially relaunched with two weekly flights before being increased to three.