E-Paper | October 02, 2026

Virgin Atlantic to operate direct flights to Pakistan from December

Dawn.com Published
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The airline will operate flights from Heathrow Airport and Manchester Airport. — AFP/File
The airline will operate flights from Heathrow Airport and Manchester Airport. — AFP/File
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Virgin Atlantic will start direct flights to Pakistan from December this year, the British airline announced on Thursday.

Direct flights will be flown from Heathrow Airport to both Islamabad and Lahore. Additionally, the airline will operate direct flights to Islamabad from Manchester Airport.

Bookings will start from September, the airline added.

The announcement comes after the British Airways (BA) sought permission from Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) to operate flights to Lahore. Earlier this week, a team of experts from the airline had visited Allama Iqbal International Airport to review arrangements made by the airport management.

The airline started flights to Islamabad this month, which had been suspended due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.

BA had resumed flights to Pakistan in 2019, after an 11-year hiatus. The airline had suspended services to Pakistan in Sept 2008 in the wake of the Marriott Hotel bombing in Islamabad.

Pakistan
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Daanish
Aug 27, 2020 08:54pm
Excellent. now our citizens must start acting like a disciplined nation. Make Lanes and drive-in lanes, a simple day to day lifestyle modification goes a long way.
Recommend 0
Brownman
Aug 27, 2020 09:04pm
Karachi is also part of Pakistan.
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Sairbeen plus.
Aug 27, 2020 09:05pm
CAA must invite American Airlines too for direct flights from US to Karachi, Lahore, & Islamabad.
Recommend 0
Azad J
Aug 27, 2020 09:31pm
Brilliant news for Pakistan. Perfect diplomatic starts from IK producing results gradually. Congrats Pakistan!
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Taj Ahmad
Aug 27, 2020 09:32pm
Good news for all Pakistanis and tourist but bad news for PIA.
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India
Aug 27, 2020 09:44pm
Good news for tourism sectors
Recommend 0
British Pakistani
Aug 27, 2020 09:52pm
People trust the pilots of British airways and Virgin
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Don
Aug 27, 2020 09:53pm
Where is Modi Ji? Isolate Pakistan eh?
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Nadeem Khattak
Aug 27, 2020 09:55pm
His highness Mr. PM Khan should also reach out to American Aviation or President Trump to seek approval to operate direct flights on United, American and Delta from Los Angeles, New York, Houston and Chicago to Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad. It will create a ton of revenue for Pakistan Aviation industry and promote tourism to our beautiful country Pakistan.
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Mr. Frodo
Aug 27, 2020 10:13pm
@Don, It's sad that we equate the starting of an airline service as oneupmanship over our neighbor. We need to delve deeper to understand the meaning of international isolation.
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NACParis
Aug 27, 2020 10:18pm
Now with Britis airways, Virgin and many other airlines increasing their flights means the demise of PIA.
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Santosh
Aug 27, 2020 10:19pm
@Don, don't be very happy, it's just flight from virgin not investment.
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Santosh
Aug 27, 2020 10:19pm
@Nadeem Khattak, no way.
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Umair
Aug 27, 2020 10:32pm
This is an AMAZING news! One stop over to Lahore/Islamabad from Detroit through Delta connection at T3 LHR. Thank you Virgin Atlantic!!! This means a lot to Pakistani expats living in Detroit.
Recommend 0
Ali Mehdi
Aug 27, 2020 10:38pm
Can someone please start direct flight to and from karachi. Why do we have to go first Lahore or Islamabad to go to karachi.
Recommend 0
Chrís Dăń
Aug 27, 2020 10:42pm
@Taj Ahmad, PIA earned it.
Recommend 0
Sarcasm
Aug 27, 2020 10:47pm
@Don, PIA will loose maximum high profit yielding routes from EU due to the 6 month ban,PIA is doomed and private non Pakistani airlines will make profit,i think you lost again.
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Amjad-
Aug 27, 2020 10:55pm
No Karachi.A city that gives more than 50% revenue to Pakistan.
Recommend 0
Mustafa
Aug 27, 2020 10:58pm
Good riddance to PIA and thank you Ghulam Sarwar for getting rid of that burden....and congrats to Zulfi bukhari for making money on PIA demise
Recommend 0
WARRIs
Aug 27, 2020 11:03pm
.. and where is Karachi the economic hub in this plan??
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Anwar
Aug 27, 2020 11:08pm
@Taj Ahmad, PIA can go bankrupt for all I care. Pakistan needs more competition to improve service for everyone on these routes. PIA is pathetic and needs to be privatized.
Recommend 0
Salman
Aug 27, 2020 11:12pm
This government is trying its best to destroy PIA. Giving all airlines permission to operate in this country, and making sure that PIA is banned everywhere. India could not have done what our aviation minister and PTI has done to this country.
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad
Aug 27, 2020 11:27pm
Welcome to the fertile land and productive soil of the 225 million talented, smart, hardworking and best host nation in the world called the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. As always, keep it up and hang on tough.
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Nick, NY
Aug 27, 2020 11:38pm
If the price is right things happen...first Ethihad, Emirates took lots of Pakistani traffic now its BA and VA's turn to claim the share of the pie...are there any institutions left in the country who can safeguard the interests of Pakistan?
Recommend 0
DEAN
Aug 27, 2020 11:38pm
Another success for the honest PTI Govt !! who would have thought that Virgin would fly to Pakistan well done Imran Khan. Are you watching Nawaz/Zardari??.
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ajax
Aug 27, 2020 11:39pm
@Salman, PIA is a burden on the tax payer. Need fresh competition. To have foreign Airlines fly into Pakistan is good for business and tourism. It will bring positive image of Pakistan to the rest of the world.
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M. Saeed
Aug 27, 2020 11:44pm
@Don, the days of Modiji's isolation in India are fast approaching.
Recommend 0
Johnny sins
Aug 27, 2020 11:47pm
Good to know Pakistani people traveling UK
Recommend 0
Changez Khan
Aug 27, 2020 11:48pm
Great first ban PIA then start your own direct flights to Pakistan.
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Sid
Aug 27, 2020 11:58pm
Virgin is onto a winner here... especially since they will fly to Lahore
Recommend 0
Syed R.Hussain
Aug 28, 2020 12:14am
Alas, direct flights to Karachi not included, though Karachi is hub of Pakistan.
Recommend 0
bhaRAT©
Aug 28, 2020 12:18am
@Taj Ahmad, Its not a "bad news for PIA". But its a sad day for trolls with their 'isolation' mantra. Competition is always healthy.
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FN
Aug 28, 2020 12:23am
That is the strategy PTI government. First humiliated PIA and it's pilots so world banned the airline. Now other airlines are benefiting from what should have been PIA's right.
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Hansoti Sh
Aug 28, 2020 12:24am
@British Pakistani , Yes & the question is why & how could we do better, & will we change from Lebanese style dystopia?
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bhaRAT©
Aug 28, 2020 12:28am
@Salman, Give such silly advice to your own Modi!
Recommend 0
Tallat
Aug 28, 2020 12:30am
@Don, Modi has isolated himself. He is circulating around the tea kettle.
Recommend 0
Shahzad
Aug 28, 2020 12:42am
This is excellent news for Pakistanis like me living in UK. With a population of around 1.3 Million in UK, these airlines can really benefit and so can the people with multiple options of direct flights.
Recommend 0
Actually
Aug 28, 2020 12:55am
@Daanish, heart beats with Ur words. Ethics matter.
Recommend 0
Chaffcutter
Aug 28, 2020 12:57am
there is substantial movement between Europe, UK and Pakistan. Virgin and BA are taking advantage of stupidity by Present Government, who have got PIA banned from Europe and UK. With no likelyhood renewal
Recommend 0
Temple-Rat
Aug 28, 2020 01:18am
@Sairbeen plus., Not happening in near future. FAA just downgraded PIA Cat2 airline. Thanks to CAA.
Recommend 0
Annie
Aug 28, 2020 01:21am
@Salman, so true and yet our masses cannot see this nor understand what this government is doing to our country. Soon they will sell PIA hotel in New York USA which is Pakistan's asset and fill their own pockets by giving bad name to our national carrier.
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Annie
Aug 28, 2020 01:21am
n/a
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Sarcasm
Aug 28, 2020 01:23am
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad, and keep on making PIA weak and a white elephant for the Land of Pure.
Recommend 0
Ash20
Aug 28, 2020 01:28am
@Don, - Guess you don’t know meaning of isolation.
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Omar
Aug 28, 2020 01:40am
Another nail in the coffin of PIA.
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Ali
Aug 28, 2020 01:58am
Now Buzdar must pull his socks up and clean up Lahore.
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Shahid
Aug 28, 2020 02:19am
Good for Pakistan and good for tourism. Let's welcome all international airlines to have routes to Pakistan.
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Aadin
Aug 28, 2020 02:21am
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad, If all 225 million Pakistanis were smart and hard-working then Pak would have been rich. By just writing good words won't take you anywhere.
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Sami khan
Aug 28, 2020 02:21am
This is a great news for UK based Pakistanis as Virgin Atlantic being one of top airlines in world operating on Pakistan routes. Hope they consider Karachi and Peshawar as well. Its good for PIA to focus on internal restructuring and build consumer trust and come back with full force again.
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Salman
Aug 28, 2020 02:30am
@Amjad-, it's not Pakistan's decision to make .virgin is a private company and it's more profitable for them to fly to Lahore and Islamabad than Karachi.
Recommend 0
Fastrack
Aug 28, 2020 02:47am
Another nail in coffin for PIA
Recommend 0
Fastrack
Aug 28, 2020 02:47am
Government is doing its best to dearly PIA
Recommend 0
Awaz....
Aug 28, 2020 03:00am
Positive News!!!
Recommend 0
LgbtqX
Aug 28, 2020 03:16am
@Don, This is a game changer indeed, time to celebrate.
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aditya shetty
Aug 28, 2020 03:20am
@Don, great achievement,,international flights resumed..great achievement..modi has stopped eating and sleeping..do u even lissen to yourself man?..how pathetic do u have to be for this great achievement?
Recommend 0
Akram
Aug 28, 2020 03:28am
@Amjad-, "No Karachi.A city that gives more than 50% revenue to Pakistan." This is not about patriotism. This is business. The fact is that majority of Pakistanis residing in UK and Europe travel to Islamabad and Lahore.
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M. Mushtaq Ahmed
Aug 28, 2020 03:35am
Others are going to make money adding flights to Pakistan and ...... PIA, corruption, corruption and more corruption. You see PIA employees at international stations, they have bad attitude and lazy. There are always many employees behind the counter, yet no one will come forward to help you You see other airline counters and they handle customers so well and respectfully
Recommend 0
Rao
Aug 28, 2020 04:10am
@Sairbeen plus., Americans will never forget the Panam hijacking
Recommend 0
Rao
Aug 28, 2020 04:12am
@NACParis, It is better to allow it to die, than keep it alive on tax payers money
Recommend 0
Rao
Aug 28, 2020 04:16am
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad, The land that is either parched dry or sinking in floods due to gross mismanagement by govt.
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Prof Sayyed L. H. Zaidi
Aug 28, 2020 04:49am
@Brownman, the residents of karachi are considered inferior and deserve no space in the eyes of corrupt to the bone Nawaz brothers and Zardari gangs. We made Pakistan and deserve no rights in Pakistan. Eversince the sons of soil (Gen Ayub) took full control of the country the uninterrupted process of destruction of Pakistan if going. In truth the demarcation lines of division of India were drawn and signed on 1th Aug 1947, but the struggle for creation of Pakistan is still on?
Recommend 0
English Karachite
Aug 28, 2020 05:01am
poor pakistanis -- with PIA kicked out of UK and USA and Europe, pakistani pilots can only have fantastic tea Other airlines making money off poor pakistanis!
Recommend 0
Arshad
Aug 28, 2020 05:18am
@Salman, seriously PTI did this? How many years have other parties have had to sort PIA out and yet here we are. Get a life bro
Recommend 0
Omar
Aug 28, 2020 06:00am
@Salman, If decades of protection and monopoly could not help PIA thrive, then it should not exist. Let people get their money's worth.
Recommend 0
Tahirmalik
Aug 28, 2020 06:09am
Direct or non stop flights to khi? Big difference!
Recommend 0
Pac Bell
Aug 28, 2020 06:30am
Great news for oversees Pakistanis living in the U.S.Now we have a choice other than the Middle Eastern carriers. Living here in Washington, D.C and part of Delta frequent flier Skymiles this is wonderful not to mention Virgin lounge at Heathrow which in my opinion is one of the best especially for someone who travels every other month to Pakistan for business. Great news for Pakistan as well.
Recommend 0
Javed Abid
Aug 28, 2020 07:02am
Excellent. Virgin should start flights from Sydney to Pakistan as well.
Recommend 0
Abdullah
Aug 28, 2020 08:31am
What the present govr has done to pia now its better to let every one come as pia is not allowed on europen destinations.
Recommend 0
Jojo
Aug 28, 2020 08:31am
@Javed Abid, Why not PIA?
Recommend 0
Hammad
Aug 28, 2020 08:49am
@Brownman, Bhutto is still alive so he might help.
Recommend 0
Ashar
Aug 28, 2020 09:24am
@Azad J, Don't you think absence of PIA is creating all these financial heavens for foreign airlines ?
Recommend 0
Truth
Aug 28, 2020 10:48am
I have traveled on Virgin Atlantic Airline before. i definitely recommend this airline to Pakistani passengers. It’s a great move by Pakistani government. I hope we get more direct flights from US east and west coast from American Airlines as well.
Recommend 0
Zeezoo
Aug 28, 2020 11:00am
@Brownman,Seems racist card doesn't work at Virgin where the business decisions are based on merit
Recommend 0
Zeezoo
Aug 28, 2020 11:02am
@WARRIs, the economists of that economic hub are busy creating Facebook posts for an independent province
Recommend 0
Subhi
Aug 28, 2020 11:04am
When will PIA able to Fly to Europe ?
Recommend 0
Naresh kumar
Aug 28, 2020 12:09pm
@Brownman, Brother Karachi is part of Sindhudesh.
Recommend 0
T
Aug 28, 2020 12:53pm
That is fantastic, Thanks to Virgin Atlantic and BA
Recommend 0
Naresh kumar
Aug 28, 2020 01:27pm
It's proof that pakistan is doing progress in each and every field. Soon,Pakistan will be a developed country.
Recommend 0
Jojo
Aug 28, 2020 02:29pm
PIA will buy Virgin Atlantic soon.
Recommend 0
Maqbool Ahmed
Aug 28, 2020 07:24pm
The national carrier PIA write-off started. Where the country is going ? Imran Khan should answer.
Recommend 0

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