LAHORE: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has started preparations to resume its flight operations at three airports in the United Kingdom — London Heathrow, Manchester, and Birmingham.
According to details, PIA has issued tenders for catering services to provide meals to passengers at these airports. The airline plans to arrange meal services for 7,500 passengers weekly at London Heathrow, 6,500 at Manchester, and 2,200 at Birmingham Airport.
Interested catering companies are required to submit their bids to the PIA station manager’s office in the UK. The deadline for submissions is August 27 for London, August 28 for Birmingham, and August 29 for Manchester.
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PIA had earlier announced the resumption of flights to the UK after the lifting of international restrictions. Initially, the airline will operate four weekly flights from Islamabad to Manchester starting in mid-August.
It should be remembered that the British government had suspended PIA operations in 2020 following a plane crash in Karachi and concerns over pilot license verification. As a result, several international aviation regulators, including the European Union, also imposed bans on Pakistani airlines.
However, both bans have now been lifted. Earlier this year, the European Union allowed PIA to resume operations after aviation safety improvements were verified. In July 2025, the UK Civil Aviation Authority also granted clearance to PIA, confirming that Pakistan had met international safety standards.
It is worth mentioning that the suspension of flights to Europe and the UK caused significant financial losses to PIA. The UK was among the airline’s most profitable markets, particularly on routes to London, Manchester, and Birmingham, which cater to large Pakistani communities.
