Norse Atlantic to Lease Two 787s to PIA for Pakistan–UK Flights From November

October 10, 2026 — Norse Atlantic Airways will lease two Boeing 787-9s with crews to Pakistan International Airlines from November, the airlines announced on Friday, October 9. The jets will fly between Pakistan and the United Kingdom, and the deal moves more of Norse’s fleet away from its own low-fare transatlantic flights.

What happened

The agreement is an ACMI lease, in which the lessor supplies the aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance. It replaces work Norse lost in July, when IndiGo said it would end its 787 lease arrangement with the Norwegian carrier.

Item	Detail
Aircraft	Two Boeing 787-9s, from a Norse fleet of 12 787s
Customer	Pakistan International Airlines (PK)
Start	November 2026; exact date TBA
Routes	Nonstop Pakistan–United Kingdom; city pairs TBA
Length and value	TBA; not disclosed

Norse chief executive Eivind Roald called the deal “the start of a strategic partnership between the two companies,” as quoted by Nukta. PIA chief executive Amir Hayat said the UK is an important market and that the aircraft add needed capacity.

Reuters reports that Norse is under pressure from high jet fuel costs, is cutting its exposure to low-cost transatlantic flying in favor of ACMI work, and is talking to other airlines about further contracts. In July it began a formal process that could end in a sale or merger.

What it means for travelers

Fewer Norse seats across the Atlantic. Two of 12 aircraft leave Norse’s own schedule from November, and the airline says it wants more leasing deals. If you rely on Norse between Europe and the US, expect a thinner schedule and check what is still operating before you book.
More Pakistan–UK capacity. Two 787-9s on nonstop routes add seats for anyone traveling between the two countries. City pairs and start dates are still to come.
Watch Norse’s future. The airline is in a formal process that could end in a sale or merger. Keep a backup plan for any Norse trip.