PIA's first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner arrives in Islamabad

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) welcomed its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner to its fleet in Islamabad on Sunday, marking a significant milestone in the airline's modernization efforts. The lease-acquired aircraft arrived on flight PK786 from London, as confirmed by a PIA spokesperson. This marks the airline as the first Pakistani carrier to add a Boeing 787-9 to its fleet. PIA CEO Aamir Hayat, along with his team, greeted the Dreamliner upon its arrival at the Islamabad airport.

Boasting modern technology and a spacious, comfortable cabin, the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner promises to elevate PIA's international network and elevate passenger experience. The airline aims to provide international-standard travel facilities through this state-of-the-art aircraft. PIA's modernization strategy includes fleet expansion and improved service, with the Dreamliner's arrival signaling the start of the airline's growth plans.

Preceding this acquisition, PIA operated a fleet of 12 Boeing 777 jets, 15 Airbus A320 planes, and five Airbus ATRs. The addition of two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, under an ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance) lease agreement with Norse Atlantic Airways, will enable direct long-haul flights from Pakistan to the United Kingdom.

This development comes amid the government's clarification last September that it would not purchase any aircraft for PIA after reports emerged of a federal minister arranging sovereign-linked financing for the airline.