Pakistan International Airlines Leases 2 Boeing 787 Aircraft

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On October 9, Norwegian Norse Atlantic Airways signed an aircraft wet lease agreement with Pakistan International Airlines, under which it will provide the latter with 2 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, planned to enter service in early November 2026. Under the agreement, Norse Atlantic Airways will simultaneously provide aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance services, and the leased aircraft will be mainly used for direct long-haul routes between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.

This cooperation adopts the aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance (ACMI) integrated leasing model, with Norse Atlantic Airways responsible for providing the aircraft and related operational resources. Pakistan International Airlines is responsible for deploying the leased capacity within its route network, with the first flights planned to connect Pakistan with multiple destinations in the United Kingdom.

Pakistan International Airlines currently operates 31 aircraft, with its fleet mainly composed of Boeing 777 and Airbus A320 series aircraft. The Boeing 787-9 introduced this time will become a newly added long-range wide-body aircraft type for the airline. Pakistan International Airlines Chief Executive Officer Amir Hayat stated that the company is expanding flight capacity in the UK market, and the newly added aircraft will be used to meet direct air travel demand between the two countries.

Norse Atlantic Airways currently operates 12 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and has gradually adjusted its capacity allocation in recent years, increasing aircraft wet lease and charter business. In July 2026, India's IndiGo decided to terminate its wet lease arrangement with the company. After signing with Pakistan International Airlines this time, Norse Atlantic Airways will reconfigure part of the capacity from its previous wet lease business to the new contract.

Norse Atlantic Airways is also in talks with other international airlines regarding potential aircraft wet lease agreements. The company launched a formal evaluation process in July this year for a possible sale or merger and continues to adjust its transatlantic scheduled route business in response to rising aviation fuel costs and operating pressure.