Virgin Atlantic to Restart Flights to This Asian Country After 2 Years Hiatus

LONDON- Virgin Atlantic Airways (VS) will resume flights to Pakistan after receiving approval from the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The airline is set to reconnect London Heathrow (LHR) with Karachi (KHI), Islamabad (ISB), and Lahore (LHE) starting in October 2025.

The British carrier, which suspended services in 2023, will reintroduce routes via Riyadh (RUH), restoring direct connectivity between the United Kingdom and Pakistan. The move marks a renewed push to expand its long-haul network in South Asia.

Photo: Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic to Restart Pakistan Flight

Virgin Atlantic (VS) will restart its operations linking London with three of Pakistan’s key cities: Karachi (KHI), Islamabad (ISB), and Lahore (LHE).

The airline had launched flights to Pakistan in December 2020, offering a mix of passenger and cargo services before withdrawing from the market in 2023.

The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has now granted the airline permission to resume these routes, which will operate through Riyadh (RUH).

This arrangement ensures wider network access, as passengers will be able to connect seamlessly from Pakistan to destinations across Europe and North America through London Heathrow (LHR).

Photo: By Mark Harkin – G-VCRU Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Virgin Atlantic, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=44299113

Previous Suspension in 2023

In 2023, Virgin Atlantic suspended services from London Heathrow (LHR) to Lahore (LHE) and Islamabad (ISB). At the time, the airline cited a strategic review of its global network as it adjusted schedules while recovering from pandemic-driven challenges.

The decision temporarily cut off direct connectivity for travelers relying on Virgin’s flights between the UK and Pakistan.

The return to Pakistan later this year underscores a reassessment of demand and route viability, with the airline positioning itself to capture both leisure and business traffic between the two countries.

Photo: By Anna Zvereva from Tallinn, Estonia – Pakistan International Airlines, AP-BGJ, Boeing 777-240 ER, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=72241859

Significance of Resumption

The resumption of flights is expected to strengthen travel and trade ties between Pakistan and the United Kingdom. With a large Pakistani community based in the UK, these routes have historically seen high demand, especially during peak travel seasons.

Virgin Atlantic’s re-entry also provides competition in a market traditionally dominated by Pakistan International Airlines (PK), British Airways (BA), and Middle Eastern carriers such as Emirates (EK), Qatar Airways (QR), and Etihad Airways (EY).

The additional capacity is likely to enhance travel options, pricing flexibility, and cargo opportunities between the two regions.

Photo: Virgin Australia

About VS

Virgin Atlantic Airways (VS) was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Crawley, West Sussex, England. The airline began operations with its inaugural flight between London Gatwick (LGW) and Newark (EWR) on 22 June 1984.

It operates under Virgin Atlantic Limited, a holding company jointly owned by the Virgin Group (51%) and Delta Air Lines (DL), with a 49% stake. Over the years, Virgin Atlantic has developed a reputation for long-haul services, connecting London with key destinations in North America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

The decision to return to Pakistan reflects the airline’s broader strategy of balancing network adjustments while seeking strong demand markets.

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