PIA and Norse Atlantic sign partnership for two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners

Business Recorder reported that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has entered into an ACMI arrangement with Norse Atlantic ASA for two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. The aircraft are expected to add long-haul capacity between the UK and Pakistan. Flight operations are set to start in early November 2026, according to a statement issued on Friday.

Under the deal, Norse will supply the aircraft along with crew, maintenance and insurance. The arrangement also lets Norse reassign capacity that had been used in an earlier contract. Following its privatisation in December 2025, PIA is carrying out a broad overhaul focused on fleet upgrades, digital initiatives and network growth, and it runs 31 aircraft.

Amir Hayat, PIA's chief executive, said the UK is a key market and the deal will widen seat capacity and choice for travellers. Norse's chief executive, Eivind Roald, called the tie-up the opening phase of a strategic link between the two airlines. On Thursday, Pakistan and the UK discussed possible Airbus and Rolls-Royce aircraft and engine arrangements for PIA, and last month Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb sought US EXIM Bank financing for planned Boeing 787 purchases.