New Manchester Airport route to Islamabad to bring huge boost to Northern communities

A new direct route between Manchester and Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, will bring much needed direct connectivity, according to community leaders.

The new route with Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) launched on Saturday with its CEO Amir Hayat arriving on the first flight into Manchester Airport from Islamabad to meet a group of MPs, dignitaries, community leaders and more for a celebration in Terminal 2.

The connection means more than 350,000 passengers from the North West who fly to Islamabad each year can now do so from the UK's global gateway in the North.

According to 2021 data, the North West is home to more than 300,000 British Pakistanis, with significant concentrations in Manchester and Bradford.

Arriving on the flight, CEO PIA Amir Hayat hailed the flight operations to Manchester, a long-standing demand of the people in UK to have a direct connection with Pakistan. He said that it also a significant milestone for PIA which is resuming its flights to UK and has chosen Manchester as the hub of its operations. He said that PIA has nearly five decades long history of flying to Manchester and serving the community residing here and it is one of the airline's most valued routes.

Mr Hayat joined community leaders, MPs and others for a celebration in Manchester Airport's new Terminal 2, where PIA will be based. Among those present were Rusholme MP and Chair of the Greater Manchester-Pakistan Forum Afzal Khan, MP for Bolton South and Walkden Yasmin Qureshi and Bradford East MP Imran Hussain

Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said:

"Here at Manchester Airport we are proud to connect the North to the world - that means making sure the North's diverse communities are connected to their friends and families all over the world.

"For a long time many thousands of people of Pakistani origin who live in the region haven't been able to travel directly to Pakistan from an airport in the North - but now that changes thanks to our partnership with Pakistan International Airlines.

"Launching this new route will make a huge difference for people all over the region, saving them time, money and stress. It's a great moment for all of us here at Manchester Airport and I look forward to seeing this route become a huge success."

Afzal Khan, MP for Manchester Rusholme and Chair of the Greater Manchester - Pakistan Forum said:

"The North is home to many thriving Pakistani communities and every year hundreds of thousands of people from the region travel to Islamabad but for years have had to make changes or travel around the UK before they get their flights.

"This new direct connection from Manchester Airport with PIA will make a huge difference to people, it will help connect families and communities and further strengthen the bonds between our two countries."

Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said:

"Every new direct route from Manchester Airport further strengthens the city's international position, supporting trade, the visitor economy and global connections.

"This new direct route to Islamabad will be a real boon for British Pakistani communities across the north of England and is a welcome new link to Pakistan's capital city."

"The new service will operate from Manchester Airport's brand new, £1.3bn Terminal 2. The terminal is the centrepiece of the airport's decade-long transformation programme which is due to be conclude in the coming months.

Terminal 2 has already won the prestigious Prix Versailles for architecture and design, recognising it as one of the most modern and user-friendly airport terminals in Europe.

Flights will operate twice weekly on Tuesdays and Saturdays with PIA plans to increase to four-weekly within next few weeks.