Last Updated on November 1, 2026 by YeJahan
YEJAHAN DESK
ISLAMABAD (Nov 01): In a major milestone for its post-privatization restructuring, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) welcomed its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner to Islamabad on Sunday, marking the debut of the state-of-the-art aircraft type in Pakistani commercial aviation.
The wide-body jet, acquired last month under an ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance) lease agreement from Norse Atlantic Airways, touched down at Islamabad International Airport after operating flight PK786 from London. PIA Chief Executive Aamir Hayat and senior airline officials were on the tarmac to receive the aircraft.
A spokesperson for the carrier confirmed that PIA is the first airline in Pakistan to induct the twin-engine, long-range Dreamliner into its fleet. Configured to seat up to 325 passengers, the aircraft features advanced in-flight entertainment and modern cabin amenities aimed at elevating the passenger experience.
“The inclusion of the Dreamliner is part of a strategy to modernise PIA’s fleet and strengthen its international network,” the spokesperson said, adding that the airline intends to utilize the aircraft to bolster direct long-haul operations between Pakistan and the United Kingdom to meet surging passenger demand.
The arrival marks the first of two 787-9 Dreamliners secured under the lease agreement with Norse Atlantic Airways. Prior to this induction, the airline’s operational fleet stood at 32 aircraft, consisting of 12 Boeing 777s, 15 Airbus A320s, and five ATR turboprops.
The fleet expansion signals a decisive shift in operational strategy following the airline’s historic privatization in December 2025, when a consortium led by Arif Habib Corporation Limited acquired a 75 percent stake in the perennially loss-making carrier for Rs135 billion. The consortium has committed to a comprehensive turnaround plan driven by structural updates, fleet renewal, and service improvements.
The transaction also underscores the airline’s transition to private financing models. In September, the federal government explicitly clarified it was not purchasing aircraft for the carrier, putting an end to speculation after reports emerged that a federal minister had attempted to negotiate sovereign-linked financing for new jets.
With the second Dreamliner expected to follow shortly, airline officials project that the new wide-body capacity will significantly enhance global connectivity and improve operational efficiency on highly competitive international routes.
Copyright YeJahan News Network, 2026
