Pakistan International Arlines (PIA) : News / Updates

[Yasser76]

Seems like these airframes were previously in IndiGo usage and have an avg. age of 7 to 9 years. Hopefully this can be the start of PIA's transition towards a newer and more modern fleet.

The avg. age of PIA's 777 fleet is ~20 yrs.

Yes, they are in a lease so imagine will be used till PIA gets its new builds

 

[PK781]

Looks like 787s will be in PIA service very soon

PIA, Norse Atlantic sign a partnership agreement for Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners

PIA has signed an agreement with Norse Atlantic, for two state-of-the-art Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.

www.app.com.pk

the agreement says it is for 2 dreamliners.......so probably they require these new ones on the UK routes (London, and/or Manchester).

Seems the old fleet of B777 will still be serving Toronto and Paris for now....
.
PIA will have difficulty restoring its entire(previous) EU network because it only has between 4-6 B777s currently active out of 12 at any time, and they break down often due to lack of spare parts and past financial issues.

Not sure what the plan of the new owners are, not much shared in media anyway and people have yet to see improvements. A very very slow process is ongoing, at a turtle pace!

 

[maxpane]

i was thinking after privatisation they would do some revolutionary steps and urgency but still its slow process .

 

[Yasser76]

i was thinking after provatisation tbey would do some revolutionary steps and urgency but still its slow process .

Lets wait, I think negotiations take time, but hoping for a massive and fresh fleet renewal. Credit to PIA, even before new planes come they seem to be working on their soft product now. New uniforms, new culture for cabin crew. They have even upped their social media and marketing game. If they start getting service, food (which they have always done well), punctuality right, then have new decent planes it could really be a game changer and a massive threat to Etihad, Emirates and Qatar, all three of whom have been eating PIA's lunch to a large extent for the last 20 years

 

[ghazi52]

 

[ghazi52]

Martin Luther zip
@itsmartinlzip
·
20h

Confirmed. Norse Atlantic Airways is wet-leasing (ACMI) two Boeing 787-9s to PIA, with operations due to start in early November 2026, mainly on Pakistan–UK routes. These will be the first Dreamliners in PIA service; the airline’s long-haul fleet currently consists of Boeing 777s. The deal also helps Norse redeploy aircraft after IndiGo ended its similar arrangement.

 

[ghazi52]

 

[ghazi52]

1985

 

[ghazi52]

Mangla Airport - Great pic from the PAT PICKARD album:

Pakistan International Airways. We were leaving Mangla to return to the USA. JEFFREY added ~

This plane, the Fokker Friendship F-27 did not fly to Karachi, the route from Mangla Airfield was either to Lahore or Pindi and then you boarded a Vickers Viscount 4 prop plane for the hop to Karachi in about 3 hrs 25 mins; in 1967, PIA began flying Trident jets from Lahore and Pindi to Karachi in about 2 hrs 15 mins.

 

[ghazi52]

PIA to Install Flat-Bed Business Class Seats in Five Boeing 777s​

Saman Siddiqui
October 18, 2026





Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is planning to upgrade the business-class cabins of its Boeing 777 aircraft by installing fully flat-bed seats, aiming to improve passenger comfort and enhance its premium travel experience.

According to reports, the airline has drawn up a plan to replace selected economy-class seating areas with new business-class seats as part of the proposed cabin refurbishment.

According to aviation industry reports, PIA has signed an agreement with Germany-based Aerotec Group and its subsidiary Aviationscouts for the cabin modernisation programme. The agreement covers five Boeing 777 aircraft, with an option to upgrade four additional planes.

The upgrade plan includes installing business-class seats with a 60-watt power supply, an improved passenger service system, new carpets, refreshed branding and a dedicated, upgraded cabin interior.

The proposed refurbishment will cover five Boeing 777 aircraft currently in PIA’s fleet, according to the reported plan.

 

[Yasser76]

PIA to Install Flat-Bed Business Class Seats in Five Boeing 777s​

Saman Siddiqui
October 18, 2026


View attachment 219862


Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is planning to upgrade the business-class cabins of its Boeing 777 aircraft by installing fully flat-bed seats, aiming to improve passenger comfort and enhance its premium travel experience.

According to reports, the airline has drawn up a plan to replace selected economy-class seating areas with new business-class seats as part of the proposed cabin refurbishment.

According to aviation industry reports, PIA has signed an agreement with Germany-based Aerotec Group and its subsidiary Aviationscouts for the cabin modernisation programme. The agreement covers five Boeing 777 aircraft, with an option to upgrade four additional planes.

The upgrade plan includes installing business-class seats with a 60-watt power supply, an improved passenger service system, new carpets, refreshed branding and a dedicated, upgraded cabin interior.

The proposed refurbishment will cover five Boeing 777 aircraft currently in PIA’s fleet, according to the reported plan.

At last and long overdue. If PIA carry on like this I may even consider using them again!

 

[ghazi52]

PIA’s nominated CEO Adrian Hamilton-Manns​

• The aviation veteran is known for leading low-cost carriers

October 18, 2026
BR Web Desk



Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has nominated aviation executive Adrian Hamilton-Manns, the former chief executive of Oman’s SalamAir, to lead the national carrier as it moves forward with its post-privatisation restructuring. His appointment is still subject to security and other regulatory clearances, with reports indicating he could take charge by the end of October.

1. Three decades of aviation experience

The New Zealander aviation veteran began his aviation career at Air New Zealand in 1997. Since then, he has held executive and senior commercial positions at airlines across Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Oceania. His previous employers include India’s IndiGo, South African Airways, Virgin Australia’s Pacific Blue and Indonesia’s Mandala Airlines. He has done Bachelor of Aviation from Massey University and Master of Business Administration – Tourism from University of Cumbria.


2. Led Oman’s SalamAir

Hamilton-Manns became chief executive of SalamAir, a Muscat-based low-cost carrier, in 2024. He remained in the role until 2026, when Yaqoob Al Kiyumi took over as CEO. SalamAir’s low-cost business model has focused on offering air travel at competitive prices.

3. Headed Kazakhstan’s FlyArystan

Before SalamAir, Hamilton-Manns served as president and CEO of FlyArystan, the low-cost subsidiary of Kazakhstan’s Air Astana Group, from 2020 to 2024. He also served as founding CEO of Africa-focused low-fare airline flyafrica.com between 2012 and 2016. These roles gave him experience in managing and developing budget airlines across different markets.

4. From low-cost airlines to full-service carrier

Hamilton-Manns’ background is concentrated in low-cost aviation, while PIA operates as a full-service carrier. The distinction matters because the airlines have different business models, service offerings and operating structures. How his experience translates to PIA’s needs will become clearer if his appointment is confirmed and his management priorities are announced.

 

[ghazi52]

 

[Colt_Six_Nine]

i was thinking after privatisation they would do some revolutionary steps and urgency but still its slow process .

Boeing has a backlog of hundreds and hundreds of 787s that will take up to a decade to deliver. Leasing existing airframes is not a bad idea till longer term plans are made and set in motion. They've already approached Boeing with the help of Pakistani govt. to see if a fastrack order can be obtained (I'm not familiar of any outcomes of these meetings).

I'm not aware of the details of contractual obligations surrounding the sale of PIA, but it wouldn't be untrue to assume that the new owners will also try to maximize their own profits/shareholder value, rather than just run a vanity airline with new airframes.

While PIA has old airframes currently in service, the PIA experience can be drastically improved by just improving the efficiency and competency of existing staff and equipment. It does seem like that they're trying to achieve this.

(Think about it this way, even with zero new development in Pakistani infrastructure, if Pakistanis start behaving as well civilized people, the Pakistani experience/quality of life will improve 100x. Same is true about PIA up to an extent.)

 

[Yasser76]

Boeing has a backlog of hundreds and hundreds of 787s that will take up to a decade to deliver. Leasing existing airframes is not a bad idea till longer term plans are made and set in motion. They've already approached Boeing with the help of Pakistani govt. to see if a fastrack order can be obtained (I'm not familiar of any outcomes of these meetings).

I'm not aware of the details of contractual obligations surrounding the sale of PIA, but it wouldn't be untrue to assume that the new owners will also try to maximize their own profits/shareholder value, rather than just run a vanity airline with new airframes.

While PIA has old airframes currently in service, the PIA experience can be drastically improved by just improving the efficiency and competency of existing staff and equipment. It does seem like that they're trying to achieve this.

(Think about it this way, even with zero new development in Pakistani infrastructure, if Pakistanis start behaving as well civilized people, the Pakistani experience/quality of life will improve 100x. Same is true about PIA up to an extent.)

So so true. I would rather fly in an old well maintained 777 with proper cabin, good cleaning pre flight, attentive cabin crew, IFE system that works then a 787 that flags in all of these. The planes have never been the issue here. They can deliver a brand spanking new A350 with all the trimmings, if its the old PIA set up no one will be getting on it. Need to develop the soft product