PIA's First Boeing 787 Dreamliner Reaches Islamabad Under Wet-Lease Deal with Norse Atlantic

Pakistan International Airlines' first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner landed at Islamabad International Airport on Sunday, becoming the first aircraft of its type to enter service with any Pakistani carrier. The jet arrived from London Heathrow operating as flight PK-786 and was received by PIA CEO Air Vice Marshal Aamir Hayat and his team, with the airline describing the arrival as a significant milestone in its transformation journey.

The aircraft is not owned by PIA. It is one of two 787-9s being leased from Norway's Norse Atlantic Airways under an ACMI arrangement — aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance — commonly known as a wet lease. Under the deal, Norse Atlantic supplies the plane and its crew while remaining responsible for maintenance and insurance.

According to Boeing, the 787-9 seats between 250 and 325 passengers and has a range of up to 15,370 kilometres. Until now PIA's fleet consisted of 12 Boeing 777s, 15 Airbus A320s and five ATR aircraft. The Dreamliner is intended to add long-haul capacity on UK routes, where the airline resumed direct London flights in March after a six-year gap and now operates seven weekly services.

Overseas Pakistanis travelling between the two countries are expected to be the first to benefit from the newer cabin and modern in-flight entertainment. The induction follows PIA receiving clearance to operate the Boeing 787 in Pakistan and represents the first visible fleet upgrade since the Arif Habib Consortium took over the airline's management in June, with fleet renewal and new routes listed among its top priorities.

The Aircraft Owners and Operators Association (AOOA) Pakistan welcomed the aircraft's arrival but cautioned that new planes alone will not revive the airline. The association said punctual flights, improved booking systems and better customer service are also needed to deliver a genuine turnaround.