PIA Leases Additional Heathrow Slots to Saudi Airlines for Summer 2025 Amid Strategic Rebuilding Efforts

In a strategic move to optimize its resources and navigate the complexities of international aviation, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has officially requested Airport Coordination Limited (ACL) to lease two of its coveted London Heathrow slots to Saudi Airlines for the summer of 2025. This decision comes as part of PIA’s broader strategy to manage its assets effectively while rebuilding its operations in Europe following a challenging period marked by regulatory restrictions.

The backdrop to this decision dates back to June 2020, when the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) suspended PIA’s authorization to operate in the bloc due to concerns over compliance with international aviation standards. This suspension was further compounded by restrictions imposed by UK and US authorities in the wake of an inquiry into the validity of pilot licenses following a tragic plane crash in Karachi that claimed 97 lives. These restrictions significantly impacted PIA’s ability to operate in key international markets, leading the airline to lease out its slots at major European airports, including Heathrow, to retain their allocation.

However, in a positive turn of events, EASA lifted its ban on PIA in November 2024, allowing the airline to resume flights to Europe. Last month, PIA marked its return to the continent with the relaunch of its Islamabad-to-Paris route, signaling a new chapter for the national carrier. Despite this progress, PIA continues to face challenges in fully utilizing its Heathrow slots, prompting the decision to lease two additional slots to Saudi Airlines for the upcoming summer season.

PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Khan explained that the airline is engaging in a slot swap arrangement, leasing two returning slots from Vietnam Airlines to Saudi Airlines for the period spanning April 5 to October 25, 2025. This move follows PIA’s earlier practice of using a “babysitting option” to retain its Heathrow slots by leasing them to other airlines, including Turkish Airlines, Saudi Airlines, and Vietnam Airlines. Under this arrangement, Turkish Airlines currently holds six of PIA’s Heathrow slots, while Saudi Airlines and Vietnam Airlines each hold two.

Khan emphasized the difficulty of securing slots at Heathrow, one of the world’s busiest and most competitive airports, and noted that these leases are typically renewed every six months. With the lease from Vietnam Airlines set to expire on April 5, PIA has opted to allocate these slots to Saudi Airlines, bringing the total number of PIA slots leased to Saudi Airlines to four for the summer of 2025.

This decision reflects PIA’s pragmatic approach to managing its assets while gradually rebuilding its international operations. By leasing its Heathrow slots, PIA ensures their retention and generates revenue, which can be reinvested into improving its services and fleet. At the same time, the airline is working to restore its reputation and regain the trust of international regulators and passengers alike.

As PIA navigates this transitional phase, the leasing of Heathrow slots to Saudi Airlines underscores the complexities of the global aviation industry and the strategic decisions airlines must make to remain competitive. For Pakistan, this move represents a balancing act between short-term resource management and long-term aspirations to reclaim its position as a key player in international aviation.