Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has welcomed its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner at Islamabad International Airport, marking a major development in the airline’s international operations.
The aircraft arrived from London on Sunday, November 1, operating as flight PK786. PIA Chief Executive Officer Air Vice Marshal Amir Hayat received the aircraft at the airport.
The arrival introduces the Boeing 787 Dreamliner to PIA’s commercial operations for the first time. It also represents a new step in the airline’s efforts to modernise its fleet and expand long-haul services.
The aircraft has been obtained from Norwegian airline Norse Atlantic Airways under a leasing agreement. It is part of a wider partnership involving two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.
Under the agreement, Norse Atlantic will provide the aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance through an Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance (ACMI) arrangement. This is commonly known as a wet lease.
The arrangement allows PIA to increase its international flight capacity without purchasing the aircraft or independently arranging all operational services.
The newly inducted Boeing 787-9 is approximately eight years old and has a seating capacity of 358 passengers. It first entered commercial service in May 2018.
The aircraft features a modern passenger cabin, in-flight entertainment facilities and technology designed to improve long-distance travel. Its twin-engine design also offers improved fuel efficiency compared with older aircraft on suitable routes.
PIA is expected to use the Dreamliner aircraft to strengthen its flight operations between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.
The airline has also planned to increase its weekly London flights from four to seven. The additional services are expected to provide more travel options for passengers, particularly overseas Pakistanis travelling between the two countries.
The expansion is expected to support operations from Islamabad and Lahore. The Norse Atlantic partnership will also help PIA increase capacity on important international routes.
The agreement was announced in October 2026. Both companies described the partnership as an opportunity to improve connectivity between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.
For Norse Atlantic, the arrangement provides an opportunity to deploy its aircraft through international leasing partnerships. For PIA, it offers additional long-haul capacity without the immediate costs and responsibilities associated with acquiring and operating new aircraft independently.
The Dreamliner’s arrival comes as PIA works to strengthen its international network following its privatisation. The airline is seeking to improve passenger services and respond to demand for direct flights.
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The introduction of the Boeing 787-9 is an important milestone for Pakistan’s aviation sector. Further developments will depend on the deployment of the second leased aircraft and the airline’s planned expansion of international services.
