PIA to Wet-Lease Two Norse Atlantic Boeing 787-9s for UK Flights From November

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has entered into an ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance) wet-lease agreement with Norse Atlantic Airways, securing two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners to bolster its long-haul international operations from November 2026.

Under the terms of the agreement, the Norwegian long-haul specialist will provide two aircraft alongside flight and cabin crews to operate scheduled passenger services on behalf of Pakistan’s national flag carrier. The wet-leased widebodies are scheduled to be deployed primarily on high-density routes linking the United Kingdom and Pakistan, restoring vital capacity between London Heathrow, Manchester, Islamabad, and Lahore.

Filling the Widebody Capacity Void

The contract provides an immediate operational solution for PIA following the recent conclusion and termination of its wet-lease partnership with Indian carrier IndiGo. That earlier arrangement had encountered regulatory and operational headwinds, leaving Pakistan’s flag carrier in urgent need of reliable twin-aisle lift to protect its market share on key European corridors.

The addition of the two Norse Atlantic Boeing 787-9s enables PIA to maintain high-frequency scheduled operations across its most lucrative diaspora routes ahead of the busy winter travel period. The Dreamliners feature a modern two-class cabin configuration, providing substantial improvements in fuel burn, reliability, and passenger experience compared to older widebodies in the flag carrier’s fleet.

Winter Counter-Cyclical Strategy for Norse

For Norse Atlantic Airways, the ACMI agreement represents a key strategic win in its effort to dampen the sharp seasonality of the North Atlantic market. The Oslo-headquartered carrier has actively sought third-party ACMI and charter contracts during the northern winter months, when leisure demand between Europe and North America drops precipitously.

Placing two Boeing 787-9s on guaranteed wet-lease terms ensures steady cash generation and mitigates fleet parking costs across the slower winter schedule. Norse Atlantic management has highlighted ACMI operations as an integral pillar of its restructuring, allowing the airline to right-size its dedicated scheduled network while preserving active fleet utilisation.

Bridging Operations Ahead of Privatisation

The wet-lease arrangement serves as an essential bridge as the government of Pakistan continues to pursue the privatisation and restructuring of PIA. With international route rights and bilateral slots representing the airline’s most valuable commercial assets, maintaining consistent, compliant long-haul service to the United Kingdom remains vital for prospective investors.

Norse Atlantic and PIA technical teams are coordinating final operational approvals with the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to ensure a seamless entry into commercial service at the start of the winter timetable in November.