Pakistan International Airlines Launches Direct Manchester–Islamabad Route

Manchester Airport and Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) have announced a major new route connecting the North of England directly to Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad. The service will launch on 25 October 2025, operating twice weekly on Tuesdays and Saturdays, with potential for increased frequency in the future.

 

With more than 362,000 passengers travelling between the North and Islamabad each year, this new direct connection addresses one of the region's largest unserved markets. It also makes Manchester the only airport in the North offering non-stop flights to Pakistan.

A Major Milestone for the Region

Until now, passengers had to travel via connecting flights in the Middle East or fly from London. This new direct link provides significant time savings, with non-stop journey times of just eight hours.

Chris Woodroofe, Managing Director at Manchester Airport, commented:

“Manchester Airport is proud to connect the North to the world, and that means serving the destinations people in our region need and want to travel to.

“Our partnership with Pakistan International Airlines puts that right and adds Islamabad to our route network of more than 200 destinations served by over 50 airlines. This new route will be a real boost to the region’s Pakistani community and offers a convenient way for tourists to explore an exciting country.”

A representative from Pakistan International Airlines added:

“This new service fulfils the long-standing demand of our valued passengers for hassle-free, nonstop travel between Pakistan and the United Kingdom. Travellers can now reach their destination in just eight hours, avoiding lengthy layovers on connecting flights.”

New Route, New Terminal

The route will operate from Manchester Airport’s £1.3bn Terminal 2, the centrepiece of the airport’s decade-long transformation. Terminal 2 has already received international acclaim, including the Prix Versailles award for architecture and design, recognising it as one of the most modern and user-friendly terminals in Europe.

This development strengthens both economic and cultural ties between the UK and Pakistan and demonstrates Manchester Airport’s ongoing commitment to expanding its global connectivity.