What happened
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) welcomed its first leased Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner at Islamabad airport on Sunday, according to Dawn. The aircraft arrived from London operating as flight PK786 and was met by PIA Chief Executive Aamir Hayat and his team. A spokesperson for the airline stated that PIA is the first Pakistani air carrier to include a Boeing 787-9 in its fleet.
Key facts
- Lease Details: The aircraft is the first of two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners secured under an aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance (ACMI) lease agreement signed last month with Norse Atlantic Airways.
- Aircraft Features: The long-range, twin-engine plane can seat up to 325 passengers and comes equipped with modern technology, including in-flight entertainment and a spacious cabin.
- Fleet Context: Before acquiring this plane, PIA’s fleet comprised 12 Boeing 777 jets, 15 Airbus A320 aircraft, and five smaller ATR planes.
- Route Coverage: The aircraft will be deployed on direct long-haul routes connecting various locations between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.
Why it matters
As reported by Dawn, PIA statements highlighted that the introduction of the Dreamliner is intended to modernize the airline's fleet, raise international travel standards, and support direct flight expansion to meet passenger demand. The fleet addition comes after PIA was privatized in December last year, when a consortium led by Arif Habib Corporation Limited won a 75 percent stake in the airline for Rs135 billion, pledging operational restructuring and fleet growth. Additionally, the government clarified in September that it was not buying planes for the carrier after reports surfaced regarding sovereign-linked financing negotiations.
Source: Dawn - Home · Published November 01, 2026 · Photo by little plant on Unsplash
