ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is set to strengthen its long-haul operations with the addition of two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft in November under a newly signed lease agreement with Norway-based Norse Atlantic Airways.
According to The News, the aircraft will primarily serve routes between Pakistan and the United Kingdom, helping PIA increase seating capacity and cater to growing demand for direct travel between the two countries.
The deal also provides Norse Atlantic with an opportunity to retain a major aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance (ACMI) contract following IndiGo’s decision in July to discontinue its wet-lease arrangement with the Norwegian airline.
Norse Atlantic has been shifting its business strategy amid rising jet fuel costs, scaling back its exposure to low-cost transatlantic operations while pursuing more ACMI contracts. Under these arrangements, airlines lease aircraft along with crews and related services to other carriers.
PIA Chief Executive Officer Air Vice Marshal Amir Hayat, speaking at the signing ceremony, described the United Kingdom as a significant market for the national carrier. He said the addition of the aircraft would expand capacity and provide passengers with more travel choices.
“We are pleased to partner with Norse Atlantic as we continue to strengthen our international network and respond to strong demand for direct travel between the two countries,” Hayat said.
He noted that the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners would be the first aircraft of their type introduced to the Pakistani market, expressing confidence that they would deliver the premium travel experience passengers expect from PIA.
Norse Atlantic CEO Eivind Roald said the airline had been exploring new ACMI opportunities to redeploy its available aircraft and was now putting that strategy into action.
He added that the agreement would facilitate PIA’s long-haul growth and improve air connectivity between Pakistan and the UK, particularly benefiting the sizeable Pakistani community living in Britain.
Roald also indicated that the arrangement could pave the way for a broader strategic partnership between the two airlines.
The agreement comes amid wider efforts to modernise PIA’s ageing fleet and improve its operational capabilities.
Earlier, the commerce ministry said the government was exploring potential aircraft leasing and fleet-upgrade arrangements involving Airbus and Rolls-Royce.
The proposals were discussed during a meeting in Islamabad between Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and British High Commissioner Jane Marriott, citing the ministry.
According to the ministry, the discussions covered possible leasing options involving Airbus aircraft and Rolls-Royce engines to address PIA’s immediate operational needs while supporting its longer-term fleet modernisation plans.
