PIA signs lease deal with Norse Atlantic for two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners for UK flights

Profit reported that Pakistan International Airlines has signed a lease with Norse Atlantic Airways for two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. Under the ACMI deal, the jets come with crews, maintenance and insurance, and are due to join PIA's fleet in November. The planes will serve direct long-haul routes between Pakistan and Britain. It is also the first time this model has entered service in Pakistan.

A PIA spokesman said the arrival of these jets is the start of a fleet expansion meant to meet rising passenger demand and better international links. Chief Executive Amir Hayat called the UK an important market and said the deal would raise capacity and give travellers more choice. Norse Atlantic will supply the aircraft along with its crews and servicing, which lets the airline widen its network before taking on aircraft of its own.

Norse Atlantic Chief Executive Eivind Roald described the deal as part of his carrier's plan to move capacity into new ACMI contracts, a strategy it had earlier flagged. He said the company was now carrying that plan out. The arrangement is seen as helping PIA grow abroad by adding newer long-haul jets and more nonstop links to Britain.