Pakistan: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has signed a lease agreement with Norway’s Norse Atlantic Airways for two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, which are expected to join its fleet in November to expand long-haul capacity between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.
According to Reuters, the agreement will also enable Norse Atlantic to redeploy aircraft through aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance (ACMI) leasing arrangements, as the Norwegian airline increases its focus on providing aircraft and crews to other carriers.
PIA Chief Executive Officer Air Vice Marshal Amir Hayat said the United Kingdom remained an important market for the airline and that the additional aircraft would increase capacity and provide passengers with more travel options.
Hayat added that the Dreamliners would be the first aircraft of their type introduced to the Pakistani market, expressing confidence that they would improve the passenger experience on international routes.
How Will the Dreamliners Affect PIA’s International Operations?
The two Boeing 787-9 aircraft are expected to operate long-haul flights between Pakistan and the United Kingdom, strengthening PIA’s capacity on the routes and supporting its international network expansion.
Norse Atlantic CEO Eivind Roald said the agreement formed part of the airline’s strategy to secure new ACMI leasing opportunities and redeploy aircraft returning to its fleet.
Roald said the arrangement would support PIA’s long-haul operations and improve connectivity for the Pakistani community living in the United Kingdom. He also described the agreement as a potential starting point for a broader strategic partnership between the two airlines.
What Other Plans Are Under Consideration to Modernise PIA’s Fleet?
The development follows discussions between Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and British High Commissioner Jane Marriott in Islamabad regarding potential aircraft leasing and fleet-modernisation arrangements involving Airbus and Rolls-Royce.
According to The News, citing the Commerce Ministry, the discussions covered possible leasing options to meet PIA’s immediate aircraft requirements and longer-term plans to modernise its fleet, including arrangements involving Airbus aircraft and Rolls-Royce engines.
The proposed arrangements form part of broader efforts to address the airline’s fleet requirements and strengthen its international operations.