Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has restored direct air connectivity between Lahore and Manchester, launching a weekly non-stop service that expands the national carrier's operations between Pakistan and the British city to five flights a week. The inaugural Lahore-Manchester flight, PK709, departed from Allama Iqbal International Airport with 325 passengers on board, according to a PIA spokesperson. The launch establishes a direct connection between Lahore and Manchester and adds another route for the Pakistani community living in the United Kingdom. PIA held an inauguration ceremony at Lahore airport before the departure. The event included a cake-cutting, while the airline's Chief Operating Officer Khurram Mushtaq saw off passengers. The service is operating in both directions. The first direct Manchester-Lahore flight had departed the previous night, where PIA's local management and officials of the Manchester Airport Group saw off the aircraft.

Passengers welcomed the restoration of non-stop connectivity, describing it as an important development for Pakistanis residing in Britain. They also expressed confidence that direct services would help strengthen people-to-people links between Pakistan and the UK. With the addition of Lahore, PIA now operates five weekly flights between Pakistan and Manchester. Four originate from Islamabad, while the newly introduced service provides one weekly departure from Lahore.

The expansion gives travellers an additional direct option for journeys between Pakistan and Manchester, particularly those travelling from Lahore and surrounding areas. The Lahore route also broadens PIA's direct Manchester operations beyond Islamabad. According to the airline, the additional service is intended to provide greater convenience and more travel options for the Pakistani community in the United Kingdom.