Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will fly twice a week to Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, from July 2.
Flights to Pakistan from Leeds were launched earlier this year by Pakistan's second national carrier, Shaheen Air International, but thADVERTISEMENTey were dropped in May after just four months. The airline blamed "lack of aircraft availability" for its decision.
Tony Hallwood, commercial director at Leeds Bradford International Airport, said: "We are extremely pleased. A direct flight to Islamabad by PIA, one the leading international airlines, is a major achievement for the airport.
"It is excellent news for Yorkshire, confirming that Leeds Bradford is Yorkshire's premier international gateway," he added.
Mr Hallwood said he was particularly pleased with the speed with which a new operator had been found.
PIA managing director, Mohammad Aijaz Haroon, said: "PIA's flight operation meets the demand of our customers in the Bradford and wider Yorkshire region as well as the airline's customers in Islamabad."
Farooq Ibrahim, UK general manager for PIA, added: "We have worked closely with the airport team and we are confident of success."
Leeds Bradford was bought by private equity firm Bridgepoint from the West Yorkshire councils which owned it in a £145m deal a year ago. It currently carries around 3m passengers annually.
Flights to Pakistan from Leeds were launched earlier this year by Pakistan's second national carrier, Shaheen Air International, but thADVERTISEMENTey were dropped in May after just four months. The airline blamed "lack of aircraft availability" for its decision.
Tony Hallwood, commercial director at Leeds Bradford International Airport, said: "We are extremely pleased. A direct flight to Islamabad by PIA, one the leading international airlines, is a major achievement for the airport.
"It is excellent news for Yorkshire, confirming that Leeds Bradford is Yorkshire's premier international gateway," he added.
Mr Hallwood said he was particularly pleased with the speed with which a new operator had been found.
PIA managing director, Mohammad Aijaz Haroon, said: "PIA's flight operation meets the demand of our customers in the Bradford and wider Yorkshire region as well as the airline's customers in Islamabad."
Farooq Ibrahim, UK general manager for PIA, added: "We have worked closely with the airport team and we are confident of success."
Leeds Bradford was bought by private equity firm Bridgepoint from the West Yorkshire councils which owned it in a £145m deal a year ago. It currently carries around 3m passengers annually.
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