Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is actively urging Boeing to expedite the delivery of at least five of the 16 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft it intends to acquire. Following recent high-level discussions, the US aerospace manufacturer is now expected to hand over the first batch in the first half of 2027.
The push for an accelerated timeline emerged after a recent visit to Boeing’s Washington headquarters by PIA’s new management and Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi. During the visit, Naqvi and Boeing Global President Brendan Nelson reportedly agreed to finalise the acquisition deal for the 16 new aircraft as swiftly as possible.
The PIA management asked for the delivery of five aircraft now, immediately, reportedly. But now it appears that they would receive the first five aircraft at the beginning of 2027.
The early induction of the 787 Dreamliners—described by insiders as the manufacturer’s most advanced aircraft and a significant upgrade from the airline’s existing Boeing 777s—is expected to revitalise PIA’s international operations, including its routes to Canada.
The national carrier currently serves over 25 international destinations, such as London, Dubai, Beijing, and Riyadh. Its current operational fleet comprises Boeing 777 wide-body aircraft, Airbus A320 narrow-body aircraft.
This aggressive procurement strategy follows PIA’s landmark privatisation in December. An Arif Habib Corporation-led consortium acquired a 75 per cent stake for Rs135 billion ($482 million), a deal which valued the struggling carrier at Rs180 billion ($643 million). Prior to the sale, PIA had accumulated over $2.8 billion in financial losses. “We will announce the fleet expansion plans on 14th Aug, a consortium partner said in his interview to nukta.pk.
The new ownership has outlined an ambitious eight-year recovery programme aimed at more than tripling the airline’s active fleet from 19 to 64 aircraft.
PIA has not yet issued a formal comment regarding the finalised aircraft delivery timelines.