Virgin Atlantic Resumes London-Pakistan Flights Soon

Virgin Atlantic Airways has announced it will resume flight operations to Pakistan starting October this year. The airline will reconnect London with Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad after receiving approval from Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Virgin had earlier suspended its services to Pakistan in 2023. Now, with new flight routes planned via Riyadh, the airline aims to restore direct connectivity. This decision marks a major boost for passengers traveling between the UK and Pakistan.

The British carrier’s return is expected to improve travel convenience and expand options for international passengers. The flights will link Pakistan to Virgin Atlantic’s global network once again. Aviation sources confirmed that the airline received all necessary clearances to operate. The move is likely to support tourism, business, and family travel. Many passengers welcomed the news, especially with travel demand rising after global disruptions.

In 2023, Virgin Atlantic halted flights to Islamabad and Lahore, citing network changes. A company spokesperson explained that the airline was reviewing its global route map. During that time, they chose to pause operations in Pakistan while ramping up other services. The decision had disappointed many travelers who relied on Virgin’s UK-Pakistan routes. The airline now appears ready to reestablish its presence in the region.

Virgin Atlantic is a British airline based in Crawley, West Sussex. It was originally founded in 1984 as British Atlantic Airways. The airline’s first flight took off from London-Gatwick to Newark on 22 June 1984. Richard Branson later took over full control of the company after buying out co-founder Randolph Fields. Today, Virgin Atlantic is 51% owned by Virgin Group and 49% by Delta Air Lines.

With its return to Pakistan, Virgin Atlantic continues to rebuild its international network. The new service via Riyadh adds flexibility for long-haul travelers. Both business and leisure passengers are expected to benefit from the added connectivity. The announcement signals renewed confidence in Pakistan’s aviation sector. Flights are expected to begin from October, subject to final scheduling and logistics.