British Airways is set to resume flights to Pakistan in just over a week. The flights come as the British flag carrier, along with airlines around the world, looks to steadily reactivate its fleet following the worst crisis of its history.
With the massive drop in passenger numbers, at its highest in April, many airlines around the world suspended some routes, if not services entirely. British Airways was no exception. The British flag carrier has kept some routes open for cargo. However, it was only operating a skeleton passenger service at the height of the current crisis.
British Airways returns to Pakistan
British Airways today revealed that it would resume flights to Pakistan later this month. The resumption follows agreements put into place with British Airways, the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority, and the British High Commission in Islamabad.
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Flights will resume on a thrice-weekly basis, with all flights leaving the airline’s Terminal 5 stronghold at London Heathrow Airport. The first flight to Pakistan will operate on Thursday, August 13th. This means that the first flight returning to London will depart from Pakistan on the nation’s Independence Day.
British Airways will be using its Boeing 787 fleet for the relaunch of flights, with tickets on sale now.
Flights will operate to the following schedule according to the airline:
- BA0261 will depart from London Heathrow at 21:30 on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Following a 7-hour 50-minute night flight, the aircraft is set to arrive in Islamabad at 09:20.
- After 1-hour and 55-minutes on the ground, the return flight (BA0260) will depart from Islamabad at 11:15 on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Following a slightly longer 8-hour and 45-minute flight, the aircraft will arrive back in London at 16:00 local time.
Not the first Islamabad relaunch
This is not the first time that British Airways has relaunched services to Islamabad in recent memory. Indeed, on June 3rd, 2019, the British flag carrier touched down in the Pakistani capital for the first time in 10 years. The airline also marked the occasion by opening an office in the city, showing the airline’s commitment to serving the country. The British flag carrier first flew to Islamabad in 1976.
Commenting on this year’s resumption of services, The British High Commissioner Dr. Christian Turner CMG, said,
“The resumption of British Airways direct flights is a big boost for the hundreds of thousands of travellers who travel regularly between our two great nations, many who have had their travel plans disrupted by the pandemic. I’d like to thank to the Government of Pakistan, British Airways and my team in Pakistan who have worked hard to deliver this welcome news.”
Are you excited to see the return of British Airways to Pakistan? Let us know what you think and why in the comments!
