With Airblue and PIA preparing to relaunch services, Pakistani travellers will soon have direct, locally-operated flight options to Britain for the first time since 2020. Leeds and Manchester will serve as the initial gateways, with Birmingham, London, and possibly Heathrow on the horizon.
Airblue gets a head start
Airblue has become the first Pakistani airline to secure clearance and plans to begin services in November 2025. Its initial route will connect Islamabad and Leeds via Istanbul, using its fleet of Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft. The carrier says Manchester will be added next, with talks underway for potential landing rights at Heathrow. the UK’s busiest hub.
Industry analysts see Airblue’s early entry as a strategic win, especially after Britain lifted its aviation ban in July, which had left a gap in the lucrative UK — Pakistan travel market. The airline originally applied in July for approval to serve Manchester but opted to start with Leeds as a gateway before expanding operations.
A Ahmed brings more than three decades of experience covering UAE news, the South Asian diaspora, politics, and regional security.
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