PIA Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Arrives in Islamabad
PIA Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner service took a concrete step forward on Sunday, when the airline’s first aircraft of the type landed in Islamabad. The jet arrived from London as flight PK786, and Pakistan International Airlines says it is the first Pakistani airline to add a Boeing 787-9 to its fleet.
PIA Chief Executive Aamir Hayat, accompanied by his team, welcomed the aircraft at Islamabad airport, according to a statement from the airline. The arrival turns a lease deal signed last month into a visible aircraft on the ground in Pakistan, and it sets up the next test: whether the new jet delivers the direct long-haul service the airline has promised.
The aircraft is equipped with modern in-flight entertainment and a spacious cabin, PIA said. Dawn’s photograph from the arrival shows the cabin interior, with crew in the airline’s green uniform standing among the seats. For passengers, the cabin is the part of the story that will matter most, since a new aircraft type only helps if the seats, service and schedules match the promise.
PIA Boeing 787-9: what arrived in Islamabad
The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is a long-range, twin-engine aircraft with up to 325 seats. PIA’s existing fleet, before this arrival, consisted of 12 Boeing 777 jets, 15 Airbus A320 planes and five smaller ATR aircraft. The Dreamliner therefore adds a newer long-haul option alongside the 777s that have carried much of PIA’s long-distance flying.
A PIA spokesperson said the Dreamliner forms part of a strategy to modernise the fleet and strengthen the international network. In the airline’s words, “The inclusion of the Dreamliner is part of a strategy to modernise PIA’s fleet and strengthen its international network.” The statement also said PIA aims to give passengers international-standard facilities and a more comfortable journey through modern aircraft.
A lease, not a purchase
The jet arrived under an ACMI lease, which covers aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance. Last month, PIA signed an agreement with Norse Atlantic Airways to acquire two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners on that basis. The aircraft that landed in Islamabad on Sunday is the first of the two.
Feature Pakistan reported the lease deal when it was signed, in Norse Atlantic to Lease Two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners to PIA. The airline said at the time that the Dreamliner would mark the start of its expansion, and that it aimed to meet rising demand with direct flights and broader global connectivity.
The lease structure also answers a question that surfaced in September. The government clarified that month that it was not buying any aircraft for the former national carrier, after reports emerged of a federal minister arranging sovereign-linked financing for PIA jets. A leased aircraft is a different arrangement from a purchase, and it keeps the capital cost off the airline’s balance sheet in the way a purchase would not.
PIA was privatised in December last year through an auction. A consortium led by Arif Habib Corporation won 75 per cent of the airline’s shares with a bid of Rs135 billion, and vowed to transform the loss-making carrier through operational restructuring, fleet expansion and better customer service. The Dreamliner arrival is the most visible fleet step under that new ownership so far.
What it means for passengers
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Frequently asked questions
When did PIA’s first Boeing 787-9 arrive?
The aircraft arrived in Islamabad from London as flight PK786 on Sunday, November 1, 2026. PIA says it is the first Pakistani airline to add a Boeing 787-9 to its fleet.
Is PIA buying the Dreamliner?
No. The aircraft arrived under an ACMI lease with Norse Atlantic Airways, covering aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance. PIA signed the deal last month for two Boeing 787-9 jets, and this is the first of the two.
How many seats does a Boeing 787-9 carry?
The Boeing 787-9 is a long-range, twin-engine aircraft with up to 325 seats. PIA’s previous fleet consisted of 12 Boeing 777 jets, 15 Airbus A320 planes and five smaller ATR aircraft.
Which routes will the Dreamliner fly?
PIA says the aircraft will operate direct long-haul flights from Pakistan to the United Kingdom, and will support its operations between different points in the UK and Pakistan.
Who owns PIA now?
PIA was privatised in December last year. A consortium led by Arif Habib Corporation won 75 per cent of the airline’s shares with a bid of Rs135 billion.
