Virgin Atlantic to operate direct flights to Pakistan from December

E-Paper | August 03, 2026

Virgin Atlantic to operate direct flights to Pakistan from December

Dawn.com Published August 27, 2020

The airline will operate flights from Heathrow Airport and Manchester Airport. — AFP/File

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Virgin Atlantic will start direct flights to Pakistan from December this year, the British airline announced on Thursday.

Direct flights will be flown from Heathrow Airport to both Islamabad and Lahore. Additionally, the airline will operate direct flights to Islamabad from Manchester Airport.

Bookings will start from September, the airline added.

The announcement comes after the British Airways (BA) sought permission from Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) to operate flights to Lahore. Earlier this week, a team of experts from the airline had visited Allama Iqbal International Airport to review arrangements made by the airport management.

The airline started flights to Islamabad this month, which had been suspended due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.

BA had resumed flights to Pakistan in 2019, after an 11-year hiatus. The airline had suspended services to Pakistan in Sept 2008 in the wake of the Marriott Hotel bombing in Islamabad.

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Daanish

Aug 27, 2020 08:54pm

Excellent. now our citizens must start acting like a disciplined nation. Make Lanes and drive-in lanes, a simple day to day lifestyle modification goes a long way.

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Brownman

Aug 27, 2020 09:04pm

Karachi is also part of Pakistan.

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Sairbeen plus.

Aug 27, 2020 09:05pm

CAA must invite American Airlines too for direct flights from US to Karachi, Lahore, & Islamabad.

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Azad J

Aug 27, 2020 09:31pm

Brilliant news for Pakistan. Perfect diplomatic starts from IK producing results gradually. Congrats Pakistan!

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Taj Ahmad

Aug 27, 2020 09:32pm

Good news for all Pakistanis and tourist but bad news for PIA.

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India

Aug 27, 2020 09:44pm

Good news for tourism sectors

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British Pakistani

Aug 27, 2020 09:52pm

People trust the pilots of British airways and Virgin

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Don

Aug 27, 2020 09:53pm

Where is Modi Ji? Isolate Pakistan eh?

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Nadeem Khattak

Aug 27, 2020 09:55pm

His highness Mr. PM Khan should also reach out to American Aviation or President Trump to seek approval to operate direct flights on United, American and Delta from Los Angeles, New York, Houston and Chicago to Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad. It will create a ton of revenue for Pakistan Aviation industry and promote tourism to our beautiful country Pakistan.

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Mr. Frodo

Aug 27, 2020 10:13pm

@Don, It's sad that we equate the starting of an airline service as oneupmanship over our neighbor. We need to delve deeper to understand the meaning of international isolation.

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NACParis

Aug 27, 2020 10:18pm

Now with Britis airways, Virgin and many other airlines increasing their flights means the demise of PIA.

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Santosh

Aug 27, 2020 10:19pm

@Don, don't be very happy, it's just flight from virgin not investment.

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Santosh

Aug 27, 2020 10:19pm

@Nadeem Khattak, no way.

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Umair

Aug 27, 2020 10:32pm

This is an AMAZING news! One stop over to Lahore/Islamabad from Detroit through Delta connection at T3 LHR. Thank you Virgin Atlantic!!! This means a lot to Pakistani expats living in Detroit.

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Ali Mehdi

Aug 27, 2020 10:38pm

Can someone please start direct flight to and from karachi. Why do we have to go first Lahore or Islamabad to go to karachi.

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Chrís Dăń

Aug 27, 2020 10:42pm

@Taj Ahmad, PIA earned it.

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Sarcasm

Aug 27, 2020 10:47pm

@Don, PIA will loose maximum high profit yielding routes from EU due to the 6 month ban,PIA is doomed and private non Pakistani airlines will make profit,i think you lost again.

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Amjad-

Aug 27, 2020 10:55pm

No Karachi.A city that gives more than 50% revenue to Pakistan.

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Mustafa

Aug 27, 2020 10:58pm

Good riddance to PIA and thank you Ghulam Sarwar for getting rid of that burden....and congrats to Zulfi bukhari for making money on PIA demise

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WARRIs

Aug 27, 2020 11:03pm

.. and where is Karachi the economic hub in this plan??

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Anwar

Aug 27, 2020 11:08pm

@Taj Ahmad, PIA can go bankrupt for all I care. Pakistan needs more competition to improve service for everyone on these routes. PIA is pathetic and needs to be privatized.

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Salman

Aug 27, 2020 11:12pm

This government is trying its best to destroy PIA. Giving all airlines permission to operate in this country, and making sure that PIA is banned everywhere. India could not have done what our aviation minister and PTI has done to this country.

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Aug 27, 2020 11:27pm

Welcome to the fertile land and productive soil of the 225 million talented, smart, hardworking and best host nation in the world called the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. As always, keep it up and hang on tough.

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Nick, NY

Aug 27, 2020 11:38pm

If the price is right things happen...first Ethihad, Emirates took lots of Pakistani traffic now its BA and VA's turn to claim the share of the pie...are there any institutions left in the country who can safeguard the interests of Pakistan?

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DEAN

Aug 27, 2020 11:38pm

Another success for the honest PTI Govt !! who would have thought that Virgin would fly to Pakistan well done Imran Khan. Are you watching Nawaz/Zardari??.

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ajax

Aug 27, 2020 11:39pm

@Salman, PIA is a burden on the tax payer. Need fresh competition. To have foreign Airlines fly into Pakistan is good for business and tourism. It will bring positive image of Pakistan to the rest of the world.

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M. Saeed

Aug 27, 2020 11:44pm

@Don, the days of Modiji's isolation in India are fast approaching.

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Johnny sins

Aug 27, 2020 11:47pm

Good to know Pakistani people traveling UK

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Changez Khan

Aug 27, 2020 11:48pm

Great first ban PIA then start your own direct flights to Pakistan.

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Sid

Aug 27, 2020 11:58pm

Virgin is onto a winner here... especially since they will fly to Lahore

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Syed R.Hussain

Aug 28, 2020 12:14am

Alas, direct flights to Karachi not included, though Karachi is hub of Pakistan.

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bhaRAT©

Aug 28, 2020 12:18am

@Taj Ahmad, Its not a "bad news for PIA". But its a sad day for trolls with their 'isolation' mantra. Competition is always healthy.

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Aug 28, 2020 12:23am

That is the strategy PTI government. First humiliated PIA and it's pilots so world banned the airline. Now other airlines are benefiting from what should have been PIA's right.

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Hansoti Sh

Aug 28, 2020 12:24am

@British Pakistani , Yes & the question is why & how could we do better, & will we change from Lebanese style dystopia?

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bhaRAT©

Aug 28, 2020 12:28am

@Salman, Give such silly advice to your own Modi!

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Tallat

Aug 28, 2020 12:30am

@Don, Modi has isolated himself. He is circulating around the tea kettle.

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Shahzad

Aug 28, 2020 12:42am

This is excellent news for Pakistanis like me living in UK. With a population of around 1.3 Million in UK, these airlines can really benefit and so can the people with multiple options of direct flights.

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Actually

Aug 28, 2020 12:55am

@Daanish, heart beats with Ur words. Ethics matter.

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Chaffcutter

Aug 28, 2020 12:57am

there is substantial movement between Europe, UK and Pakistan. Virgin and BA are taking advantage of stupidity by Present Government, who have got PIA banned from Europe and UK. With no likelyhood renewal

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Temple-Rat

Aug 28, 2020 01:18am

@Sairbeen plus., Not happening in near future. FAA just downgraded PIA Cat2 airline. Thanks to CAA.

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Annie

Aug 28, 2020 01:21am

@Salman, so true and yet our masses cannot see this nor understand what this government is doing to our country. Soon they will sell PIA hotel in New York USA which is Pakistan's asset and fill their own pockets by giving bad name to our national carrier.

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Annie

Aug 28, 2020 01:21am

n/a

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Sarcasm

Aug 28, 2020 01:23am

@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad, and keep on making PIA weak and a white elephant for the Land of Pure.

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Ash20

Aug 28, 2020 01:28am

@Don, - Guess you don’t know meaning of isolation.

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Omar

Aug 28, 2020 01:40am

Another nail in the coffin of PIA.

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Ali

Aug 28, 2020 01:58am

Now Buzdar must pull his socks up and clean up Lahore.

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Shahid

Aug 28, 2020 02:19am

Good for Pakistan and good for tourism. Let's welcome all international airlines to have routes to Pakistan.

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Aadin

Aug 28, 2020 02:21am

@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad, If all 225 million Pakistanis were smart and hard-working then Pak would have been rich. By just writing good words won't take you anywhere.

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Sami khan

Aug 28, 2020 02:21am

This is a great news for UK based Pakistanis as Virgin Atlantic being one of top airlines in world operating on Pakistan routes. Hope they consider Karachi and Peshawar as well. Its good for PIA to focus on internal restructuring and build consumer trust and come back with full force again.

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Salman

Aug 28, 2020 02:30am

@Amjad-, it's not Pakistan's decision to make .virgin is a private company and it's more profitable for them to fly to Lahore and Islamabad than Karachi.

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Fastrack

Aug 28, 2020 02:47am

Another nail in coffin for PIA

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Fastrack

Aug 28, 2020 02:47am

Government is doing its best to dearly PIA

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Awaz....

Aug 28, 2020 03:00am

Positive News!!!

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LgbtqX

Aug 28, 2020 03:16am

@Don, This is a game changer indeed, time to celebrate.

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aditya shetty

Aug 28, 2020 03:20am

@Don, great achievement,,international flights resumed..great achievement..modi has stopped eating and sleeping..do u even lissen to yourself man?..how pathetic do u have to be for this great achievement?

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Akram

Aug 28, 2020 03:28am

@Amjad-, "No Karachi.A city that gives more than 50% revenue to Pakistan." This is not about patriotism. This is business. The fact is that majority of Pakistanis residing in UK and Europe travel to Islamabad and Lahore.

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M. Mushtaq Ahmed

Aug 28, 2020 03:35am

Others are going to make money adding flights to Pakistan and ...... PIA, corruption, corruption and more corruption. You see PIA employees at international stations, they have bad attitude and lazy. There are always many employees behind the counter, yet no one will come forward to help you You see other airline counters and they handle customers so well and respectfully

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Rao

Aug 28, 2020 04:10am

@Sairbeen plus., Americans will never forget the Panam hijacking

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Rao

Aug 28, 2020 04:12am

@NACParis, It is better to allow it to die, than keep it alive on tax payers money

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Rao

Aug 28, 2020 04:16am

@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad, The land that is either parched dry or sinking in floods due to gross mismanagement by govt.

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Prof Sayyed L. H. Zaidi

Aug 28, 2020 04:49am

@Brownman, the residents of karachi are considered inferior and deserve no space in the eyes of corrupt to the bone Nawaz brothers and Zardari gangs. We made Pakistan and deserve no rights in Pakistan. Eversince the sons of soil (Gen Ayub) took full control of the country the uninterrupted process of destruction of Pakistan if going. In truth the demarcation lines of division of India were drawn and signed on 1th Aug 1947, but the struggle for creation of Pakistan is still on?

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English Karachite

Aug 28, 2020 05:01am

poor pakistanis -- with PIA kicked out of UK and USA and Europe, pakistani pilots can only have fantastic tea Other airlines making money off poor pakistanis!

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Arshad

Aug 28, 2020 05:18am

@Salman, seriously PTI did this? How many years have other parties have had to sort PIA out and yet here we are. Get a life bro

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Omar

Aug 28, 2020 06:00am

@Salman, If decades of protection and monopoly could not help PIA thrive, then it should not exist. Let people get their money's worth.

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Tahirmalik

Aug 28, 2020 06:09am

Direct or non stop flights to khi? Big difference!

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Pac Bell

Aug 28, 2020 06:30am

Great news for oversees Pakistanis living in the U.S.Now we have a choice other than the Middle Eastern carriers. Living here in Washington, D.C and part of Delta frequent flier Skymiles this is wonderful not to mention Virgin lounge at Heathrow which in my opinion is one of the best especially for someone who travels every other month to Pakistan for business. Great news for Pakistan as well.

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Javed Abid

Aug 28, 2020 07:02am

Excellent. Virgin should start flights from Sydney to Pakistan as well.

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Abdullah

Aug 28, 2020 08:31am

What the present govr has done to pia now its better to let every one come as pia is not allowed on europen destinations.

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Jojo

Aug 28, 2020 08:31am

@Javed Abid, Why not PIA?

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Hammad

Aug 28, 2020 08:49am

@Brownman, Bhutto is still alive so he might help.

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Ashar

Aug 28, 2020 09:24am

@Azad J, Don't you think absence of PIA is creating all these financial heavens for foreign airlines ?

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Truth

Aug 28, 2020 10:48am

I have traveled on Virgin Atlantic Airline before. i definitely recommend this airline to Pakistani passengers. It’s a great move by Pakistani government. I hope we get more direct flights from US east and west coast from American Airlines as well.

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Zeezoo

Aug 28, 2020 11:00am

@Brownman,Seems racist card doesn't work at Virgin where the business decisions are based on merit

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Zeezoo

Aug 28, 2020 11:02am

@WARRIs, the economists of that economic hub are busy creating Facebook posts for an independent province

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Subhi

Aug 28, 2020 11:04am

When will PIA able to Fly to Europe ?

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Naresh kumar

Aug 28, 2020 12:09pm

@Brownman, Brother Karachi is part of Sindhudesh.

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Aug 28, 2020 12:53pm

That is fantastic, Thanks to Virgin Atlantic and BA

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Naresh kumar

Aug 28, 2020 01:27pm

It's proof that pakistan is doing progress in each and every field. Soon,Pakistan will be a developed country.

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Jojo

Aug 28, 2020 02:29pm

PIA will buy Virgin Atlantic soon.

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Maqbool Ahmed

Aug 28, 2020 07:24pm

The national carrier PIA write-off started. Where the country is going ? Imran Khan should answer.

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