After an interruption of nearly a decade, British Airways resumes flights to Islamabad

British Airways has today announced that it will fly again from Heathrow to Islamabad from 2 June 2019. The airline discontinued the route about a decade ago after a Marriott Hotel bombing in the capital city of Pakistan killing at least 54 people and injuring at least 266. The route will launch as a three-per-week service, operated on a three-class Boeing 787 Dreamliner – British Airways’ newest long-haul fleet that is 20 per cent more fuel efficient than other aircraft and features larger windows, mood lighting and the latest inflight entertainment. 

Robert Williams, Head of Sales for Asia Pacific and the Middle East, said: “It’s exciting to be flying between Islamabad and Heathrow from next year, which we believe will be particularly popular with the British Pakistani community who want to visit, or be visited by, their relatives. On the route, customers will enjoy the very best in flying. Not only is it being operated on our newest long-haul aircraft, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, but it will also be landing in to the new airport in Islamabad, which opened earlier this year.”

Thomas Drew CMG, the British High Commissioner to Pakistan, said: “I am delighted to be welcoming British Airways back to Pakistan. The launch of direct flights by British Airways between London Heathrow and Islamabad’s new International Airport is excellent news for both countries.

“The links between Britain and Pakistan are already extraordinary – from culture and cricket, to people, politics and education.  I see this launch as a vote of confidence in the future of those links – and, of course, a reflection of the great improvements in the security situation in Pakistan in recent years.  The return of British Airways will give a particular boost to our growing trade and investment links.  British Airways itself joins an increasing number of British companies doing business in Pakistan.  I hope too that it will allow more people from the UK to discover, like I have, what a beautiful country Pakistan is.   I look forward to using the service myself when flight start in June.”

Islamabad is a quiet and tranquil city with plenty of green spaces, gardens and parks. It is a hub for culture with a rich heritage and has an impressive collection of museums, markets, Mosques and hiking trails, as well as restaurants which serve a variety of cuisines from local Pakistani dishes to food from around the world. The airline has a long history of flying to the city and offered its first scheduled flights between London and the Pakistani capital in 1976.

Islamabad is one of four long-haul routes being launched by British Airways in 2019, its centenary year. The airline is also launching direct flights to Pittsburgh and Charleston in the US and Osaka in Japan, alongside several short-haul routes.

British Airways’ long-haul flights include complimentary food and drink, online check-in and free seat selection 24 hours prior to departure. The airline is amid a £4.5 billion investment for customers, including the installation of the best quality WiFi and power in every seat, fitting 128 long-haul aircraft with new interiors and taking delivery of 72 new aircraft. Next year, the airline will launch its new business class seat with direct aisle access.

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