PIA Board Approves Leasing 5 Boeing Aircrafts

Pakistan International Airlines’ board has approved leasing five Boeing aircraft to support the airline’s operations in Europe and the United Kingdom.

The board approved taking two Boeing 777 aircraft on a six month wet lease from European airline Norse Atlantic. It also approved acquiring three additional aircraft on dry lease.

The board directed PIA management to expedite the procurement of spare parts for its aircraft. Financial, operational and other matters were also discussed during the meeting held at the airline’s Islamabad head office.

The move comes as PIA prepares to expand its London operations. The airline has announced that it will increase weekly flights between Pakistan and London to seven from October 27.

Under the expanded schedule, PIA will operate five weekly flights from Islamabad to London and two weekly flights from Lahore to London. The airline currently operates four weekly flights to the British capital.

PIA said the additional flights will provide greater connectivity for passengers traveling between Pakistan and the United Kingdom, particularly overseas Pakistanis.

The airline attributed the London expansion to growing demand on the route and the return of slots at London Heathrow Airport that had previously been allocated to foreign airlines. The increased aircraft capacity and London flights are expected to strengthen PIA’s operations on its key international routes.