PIA welcomes its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner in Islamabad

KARACHI:

Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner arrived in Islamabad from London on Sunday, marking a new development in the national carrier’s efforts to modernise its fleet and expand international operations.

The aircraft arrived on flight PK-786 from London Heathrow Airport. It was leased from Norwegian airline Norse Atlantic Airways under an Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance (ACMI) agreement, commonly known as a wet lease. Under the arrangement, Norse Atlantic will provide the aircraft and its crew, while also remaining responsible for maintenance and insurance.

The aircraft was welcomed at Islamabad International Airport by PIA Chief Executive Officer Air Vice Marshal Amir Hayat and his team.

Reacting to its arrival, Aircraft Owners and Operators Association (AOOA) Pakistan said the induction of the Dreamliner was an important milestone for PIA and a significant step towards the airline’s revival.

Pakistan's and PIA's first Boeing 787-9 touches down in Islamabad, marking a significant milestone in our journey towards transformation, fulfilling our resolve for bringing newer fleet and providing greater flying comfort & better experience to our guests.

The event also… pic.twitter.com/EIlwE1B82l

— PIA (@Official_PIA) November 1, 2026

In a statement, the organisation said the aircraft would strengthen PIA’s international operations and play an important role in improving air connectivity between Pakistan and the United Kingdom. It added that the new aircraft would provide overseas Pakistanis with better travel facilities.

AOOA also stressed that acquiring modern aircraft alone would not be enough to restore the airline’s standing, saying improvements in service standards were essential to its revival.

Read: Norse Atlantic lands lease deal with PIA

It said punctual flights and quality facilities should be among PIA’s priorities, adding that the airline needed to regain passengers’ confidence through a modern booking system and better customer service. Improvements in services, it said, should accompany the airline’s rebranding.

The organisation congratulated the new chief executive officer on the Dreamliner’s arrival and praised the efforts of the outgoing CEO and his team.

It expressed hope that the new leadership would take forward the airline’s revival, saying modern aircraft and staff training were essential for its growth.

Financial discipline and profitable routes were also key to PIA’s success, it added.

“The arrival of the Dreamliner marks a new beginning; the real goal is to restore PIA to its former glory,” AOOA Pakistan said.

Read more: Arif Habib Consortium takes over PIA management as govt formally completes privatisation process

In June, the Arif Habib Consortium formally took over the airline’s management through PIA Equity Ltd, following the completion of the privatisation process. The transaction involved a total investment commitment of Rs180 billion, including Rs125 billion in fresh capital for the airline and Rs55 billion payable to the government.

The new management had identified fleet renewal, route expansion and improvements in services as key areas for investment.

Earlier in October, PIA signed an agreement with Norway-based Norse Atlantic Airways for two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners under an ACMI arrangement. The arrangement was intended to increase PIA’s long-haul capacity and support its expansion on UK routes.

PIA had also resumed direct flights to London in March after a gap of six years, initially operating three weekly flights from Islamabad and one from Lahore. The resumption increased the airline’s weekly flights to the United Kingdom to seven.