Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is exploring options involving Airbus aircraft and Rolls-Royce engines as its new private owners seek to rebuild a fleet with half of its aircraft currently listed as inactive.
The proposals were discussed during a meeting between Pakistan's Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and British High Commissioner Jane Marriott on October 8. According to Pakistan's commerce ministry, the talks included aircraft leasing for PIA's immediate requirements and longer-term fleet modernization.
No aircraft type, quantity or timetable was disclosed, and there is no indication that PIA has entered formal negotiations for an Airbus order.
The discussions follow a separate effort involving US manufacturers and financing. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb met US Export-Import Bank Chairman John Jovanovich in September to discuss potential support for aircraft, engines and spare parts.
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Pakistan said PIA had expressed interest in Boeing aircraft, particularly the 787 Dreamliner. The talks also covered financing for pre-delivery payments and equipment needed to return grounded aircraft to service.
The government has said it will facilitate contacts with international manufacturers and financial institutions but will not purchase aircraft for PIA or provide sovereign guarantees for the airline's fleet investments.
Only half of current fleet listed as active
Fleet renewal has become a pressing issue as PIA restores international routes that were unavailable to the airline for several years.
Planespotters.net lists 32 aircraft in the PIA fleet, but only 16 were active as of September. The total comprises 17 Airbus A320s, 12 Boeing 777s and three ATR 42s.
Availability is particularly limited among the widebody fleet. Only five of PIA's 12 Boeing 777s were listed as active, with the remaining seven parked. The 777 fleet has an average age of more than 20 years.
PIA has no Boeing 787 or Airbus A350 aircraft, leaving the 777 as its principal type for long-haul services.
The airline is also looking at leased capacity. Norse Atlantic Airways announced this week an agreement to provide two Boeing 787-9s to PIA under an ACMI arrangement, which will give the Pakistani carrier additional long-haul capacity without requiring it to acquire the aircraft.
European flights returned after four-year suspension
PIA's fleet plans come after the airline regained access to some of its most important international markets.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency suspended PIA's authorization to operate in Europe in June 2020 amid concerns over Pakistan's aviation safety oversight. The action followed the crash of a PIA Airbus A320 in Karachi in May that year and a subsequent controversy over pilot licenses in the country.
EASA lifted the suspension in November 2024, and PIA resumed flights to Paris in January 2025.
The United Kingdom maintained separate restrictions until July 2025. PIA subsequently returned to Manchester and resumed flights to London Heathrow in March 2026. The carrier plans to increase its London operation to seven weekly flights later this month.
The renewed access gives PIA an opportunity to rebuild international traffic at the same time that its ownership structure has changed.
A consortium led by Pakistani businessman Arif Habib acquired a 75% stake in PIA for 135 billion Pakistani rupees, about US$486 million, in December 2025. Management control was transferred to the consortium in June 2026.
The new owners have outlined plans to eventually expand the airline to as many as 64 aircraft.
