Norse Atlantic UK (https://flynorse.com/) in partnership with HB International Airline (https://hbinternationalairline.com/) has been allowed by Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to start flights between UK and Pakistan. The airline has been directed to submit its flights schedule.
Partnership between Norse Atlantic UK and HB International Airline is approved by Department for Transport (DfT) of UK.
Norse Atlantic UK is based at London-Gatwick Airport. The low cost airline operates a fleet of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
HB International Airline has indicated plan to offer flights from Manchester and Birmingham to Islamabad.
planefan2003 wrote: Mon Mar 31, 2025 2:12 pm
Unless Norse offers 40KG of baggage, complimentary meals like British Airways and PIA, I can’t see the route coming into fruition.
"BEST quality of hot meals & catering services to serve onboard from UK & Pakistan."
I don't know about this one - take it with a pinch of salt. Every year we see some airline with two initials trying to fly between the UK and Pakistan. Every year that never falls into fruition.
While I have faith, especially since Norse is wet leasing the aircraft, it's weak faith.
British Airways only Flies to Islamabad, whats the point of another british flag carrier coming to Pakistan. It's going to be like a Virgin Atlantic type situation.
I have a feeling, they don't want PIA to fly to UK. So they can make their airlines come to Pakistan.
They are having a chance to make profit out of us, PIA has the right to make profit from us.
I agree with you to an extent, but keep in mind Norse Atlantic is absolutely not the flag carrier. There is only one in the UK and that is BA.
There are obviously a lot of underhand dealings and situations that the general public is not aware of that is controlling the fact PIA is not approved to the UK. Those reasons we will never know and unfortunately we will be left to make assumptions.
If HB International (which upon further research is Pakistani owned) thinks there is a market then they should absolutely go for it. But they need to keep in mind we are an extremely price sensitive VFR market, and in theory, this should be successful with a low premium aircraft.
BA's strategy to a large extent is smart for VFR p2p travel, using their highest density, lowest premium 777. I believe they would very much increase their services to ISB but are facing significant aircraft shortages at both Gatwick and Heathrow - which I assume is the reason we have been moved to LGW regardless.
Virgin only started Pakistan flights as they had a ton of spare slots and aircraft during COVID, so opening quick and easy money destinations such as PK market was smart. In terms of their strategy, it was very short term focused and the general sentiment is that they were never going to stick around. Nonetheless Virgin did well here.
After PIA gets Privatized, In all honesty we should move PIA Headquarters to Islamabad. Islamabad Airport is that one big Airport in Pakistan, PIA needs to be a main hub for International Flights. All international flights to Europe or America should take off from Islamabad Airport.
If we are moving PAA headquarters to Islamabad, same should be with PIA.
Why Norse Atlantic when they already have British Airways operating from LGW-ISB and that too Norse will operate from the same airport as British Airways? The only difference I see is Norse Atlantic using its modern Boeing 787-9s. Whereas, compared to British Airways 20-30 year old Boeing 777-200s. I don't think it's a good idea, we need PIA, our national carrier to be operating these flights, not third world peoples airlines.
rvlhassan wrote: Mon Mar 31, 2025 5:10 pm
I don't know about this one - take it with a pinch of salt. Every year we see some airline with two initials trying to fly between the UK and Pakistan. Every year that never falls into fruition.
While I have faith, especially since Norse is wet leasing the aircraft, it's weak faith.
British Airways only Flies to Islamabad, whats the point of another british flag carrier coming to Pakistan. It's going to be like a Virgin Atlantic type situation.
I have a feeling, they don't want PIA to fly to UK. So they can make their airlines come to Pakistan.
They are having a chance to make profit out of us, PIA has
the right to make profit from us.
100 percent agree, for whatever the reason British Transport keeps delaying the unban, it makes me question if they even want PIA back to the UK skies
There is another thing too, the Pakistani Diaspora in UK take Turkish Airline, and Qatar Airways too. These ME3 and Turkish Airlines are doing lobbying and buying our slots at Heathrow. These ME3 and Turkish Airlines are earning a huge amount of profit from Pakistani Diaspora from the UK, they don't want PIA to fly to UK because they are afraid of not receiving profit from Pakistanis. Pakistani Diaspora from UK are willing to spend $1500 to $3000 on Economy and Business class tickets for ME3 airlines and Turkish Airlines.
These lobbying efforts are the reason they don't PIA to fly to UK.
PIA's routes are a valuable asset, that makes so much profit.
We need a strong lobbying, that can combat the ME3 and Turkish airlines lobbying efforts. I fear that will be after Privatization, either the Arif Habib, YB Holdings (Tabba) or Mian Mansha have that power.
rvlhassan wrote: Mon Mar 31, 2025 5:10 pm
I don't know about this one - take it with a pinch of salt. Every year we see some airline with two initials trying to fly between the UK and Pakistan. Every year that never falls into fruition.
While I have faith, especially since Norse is wet leasing the aircraft, it's weak faith.
British Airways only Flies to Islamabad, whats the point of another british flag carrier coming to Pakistan. It's going to be like a Virgin Atlantic type situation.
I have a feeling, they don't want PIA to fly to UK. So they can make their airlines come to Pakistan.
They are having a chance to make profit out of us, PIA has
the right to make profit from us.
100 percent agree, for whatever the reason British Transport keeps delaying the unban, it makes me question if they even want PIA back to the UK skies
These ME3 and Turkish Airlines are doing lobbying and buying our slots at Heathrow.
What's your source? What do you define as 'our' slots...?
I don’t have any sources, but for sure these ME3 are so greedy. They don’t want PIA to fly to UK or America, they were close to buy PIA. They would not even let it survive, they would buy PIA to steal our routes.
That’s why the Arif Habib, YB holdings and 3rd bidder (unknown popping buy surprise) are already scaring the ME3 airlines in this 2nd privatization attempt.
