LAHORE: PIA’s direct Lahore-to-Manchester operations are officially back online. The inaugural flight (PK-709) departed Allama Iqbal International Airport.
On Thursday, with 325 passengers, following a formal ceremony led by PIA COO Khurram Mushtaq.
According to a spokesperson for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the non-stop flight departed from Allama Iqbal International Airport following a formal launch ceremony.
پی آئی اے نے بین الاقوامی فضائی آپریشن میں توسیع کا ایک اور اہم سنگ میل،،، پی آئی اے نے پانچ سال بعد لاہور سے مانچیسٹر کی براہ راست پروازوں کا فلائٹ آپریشن بحال کردیا، پہلی پرواز آج دوپہر آج روانہ ہوگی۔ بوئنگ ٹرپل سیون طیارے میں 300 سے زائد مسافر روانہ۔ہونگے۔ pic.twitter.com/ahbqcgXueA
— Abbas Malik (@AbbasMalik95703) July 2, 2026
The previous night, the maiden Manchester-to-Lahore flight successfully departed the UK, seen off by local management and the Manchester Airport Group.
Overseas Pakistanis have welcomed the direct route, which eliminates layovers and strengthens ties with the UK.
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PIA’s expanded schedule now includes five weekly Manchester flights: four from Islamabad and one from Lahore.