Norse Atlantic lands lease deal with Pakistan's PIA

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has entered into a significant ACMI agreement with Norse Atlantic ASA, a Norwegian low-cost, long-haul airline group, to acquire two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. This partnership aims to bolster PIA's long-haul capacity between the UK and Pakistan, providing additional travel options for the substantial Pakistani community residing in the UK.

According to a statement released on Friday, the flight operations are scheduled to commence in late October 2026. Norse Atlantic ASA will provide the aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance, allowing PIA to expand its route network while Norse redeploy capacity from its previous ACMI operation. Norse Atlantic ASA's CEO, Eivind Roald, expressed the company's commitment to strengthening connectivity between the UK and Pakistan by offering more travel choices for passengers.

Following its privatisation in December 2025, PIA has embarked on a corporate transformation focused on fleet modernisation, digital innovation, and strategic route expansion. PIA currently operates a fleet of 31 aircraft, including Boeing 777s and Airbus 320s, serving a vast network from China to North America. Recently, discussions between Pakistan and the United Kingdom have explored potential aircraft and engine arrangements for PIA, including Airbus and Rolls-Royce options, with support from UK export credits and leasing opportunities to address immediate fleet needs.