Pakistan International Airlines has signed an agreement with Norway based Norse Atlantic Airways to operate two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft on its long haul network, with flights expected to begin at the start of November 2026. The arrangement, announced on Friday, brings modern widebody aircraft onto routes between Pakistan and the United Kingdom at a time when the national carrier is rebuilding its fleet and network after privatisation.
Under the agreement, Norse Atlantic will supply the aircraft along with crew, maintenance and insurance, a structure known in the aviation industry as ACMI. PIA will sell and operate the services under its own brand while the leased Dreamliners provide the additional long haul capacity the airline needs for its UK operations.
What the PIA and Norse Atlantic agreement covers
According to the statement issued on Friday, the two Boeing 787-9 aircraft will connect multiple destinations between the United Kingdom and Pakistan. The deal is designed to strengthen air links between the two countries and give the large Pakistani community living in Britain more travel options on direct services.
Norse Atlantic chief executive Eivind Roald said the airline was pleased to support PIA’s long haul expansion and described the arrangement as the start of a strategic partnership between the two companies. The Norwegian carrier operates a fleet of 12 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft and has been shifting its business towards leasing arrangements with other airlines.
The agreement also helps Norse Atlantic replace a major leasing contract it is losing in India. India’s largest airline, IndiGo, announced in July that it would end its wet lease arrangement with the Norwegian group, pushing Norse to look for new ACMI customers. The carrier has said long term agreements with major international airlines protect it from swings in passenger demand and fuel prices, and it is in talks with other airlines about further contracts.
Why PIA needs leased widebody aircraft
PIA currently operates a fleet of 31 aircraft made up of Boeing 777 and Airbus A320 jets, serving a network that stretches from China to North America. Since its landmark privatisation in December 2025, the airline has been working on fleet modernisation, digital upgrades and route expansion, but adding owned widebody aircraft takes time and significant capital.
Leasing two Dreamliners allows PIA to grow its UK services quickly without waiting for aircraft deliveries. The Boeing 787-9 is a fuel efficient widebody designed for long haul routes, and its operating economics suit busy Pakistan to UK services that carry heavy passenger and cargo demand throughout the year.
The signing follows fresh aviation talks between Pakistan and the United Kingdom. On Thursday, the two sides discussed wider aviation cooperation, including possible Airbus and Rolls Royce aircraft and engine arrangements for PIA, along with potential UK export credit support and leasing options to meet the airline’s immediate fleet needs.
What happens next
Flight operations under the Norse Atlantic partnership are expected to start from the beginning of November 2026. Schedules, exact UK destinations and ticket sale dates are expected to be announced by PIA closer to the launch. For now, the agreement marks one of the clearest signs yet that the privatised flag carrier is moving to rebuild its long haul presence, starting with the Pakistan to UK market. Follow the latest developments in our Pakistan business and economy news coverage, read how the Pakistan IMF staff-level agreement for $1.21 billion is shaping the wider economic outlook, and check the USD to PKR exchange rate today before planning international travel.
