PIA Carries More Than 100,000 Passengers on Manchester Routes

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has carried more than 100,000 passengers on its direct services between Manchester and Pakistan during the routes’ first year, according to Manchester Airport.

The airport reported a total of 104,845 passengers across PIA’s Manchester–Islamabad and Manchester–Lahore services. The milestone comes a year after the airline began flying from Manchester to Islamabad, followed by the launch of its Lahore service in July.

Islamabad service now operates four times a week

PIA’s Manchester–Islamabad route began as a twice-weekly service. Manchester Airport says it has since increased to four flights a week, operating on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

The Lahore service operates once weekly, on Wednesdays, according to the airport. Together, the two routes provide direct links between Manchester and Pakistan’s capital and Punjab’s largest city.

Cargo traffic also tops 1,500 tonnes

PIA carried 1,541 tonnes of cargo across the two routes during the year, Manchester Airport said. Of that total, 1,412 tonnes were carried into the UK and 129 tonnes outbound to Pakistan. The airport listed fresh produce, pharmaceutical products, clothing and fabrics among the largest import categories by volume.

The routes serve travellers in northern England, including members of the British Pakistani community, as well as business and cargo customers. The passenger and freight figures were provided by Manchester Airport as it marked the first anniversary of PIA’s Manchester service.

The milestone reflects traffic on the Manchester routes specifically. It does not represent PIA’s total UK passenger numbers or the performance of all its international services.