Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has received its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, with the aircraft landing at Islamabad International Airport on Sunday.
The arrival marks the first time a Boeing 787 Dreamliner has joined the fleet of any Pakistani airline.
The aircraft arrived from London’s Heathrow Airport as flight PK-786. PIA CEO Air Vice Marshal Aamir Hayat and other officials welcomed it at Islamabad airport.
PIA described the arrival as an important step in its ongoing transformation.
PIA Has Leased, Not Purchased, the Aircraft
The Dreamliner is not owned by PIA. It is among two Boeing 787-9 aircraft leased from Norway-based Norse Atlantic Airways under an ACMI arrangement, commonly known as a wet lease.
Under this agreement, Norse Atlantic provides the aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance.
Boeing says the 787-9 can accommodate between 250 and 325 passengers and has a maximum range of 15,370 kilometres.
Before its arrival, PIA’s fleet included 12 Boeing 777s, 15 Airbus A320s and five ATR aircraft.
What It Means for Passengers
The new aircraft is expected to strengthen PIA’s long-haul operations, particularly on routes connecting Pakistan with the United Kingdom.
PIA resumed direct flights to London in March after a six-year suspension. It currently operates seven weekly flights to the UK.
The Dreamliner’s arrival could offer passengers travelling on these routes a newer cabin, modern in-flight entertainment and a more comfortable long-distance journey.
The induction follows regulatory clearance for PIA to operate the Boeing 787 in Pakistan.
It also marks a major fleet development since the Arif Habib Consortium took over PIA’s management in June. Fleet upgrades and expansion into new routes are among the airline’s stated priorities.
The Aircraft Owners and Operators Association of Pakistan welcomed the aircraft’s arrival but stressed that new planes alone would not solve PIA’s problems. It said the airline also needs to improve flight punctuality, booking systems and customer service.
