Heathrow’s Double Comeback: Two Familiar Airlines Return the Same Day in 2026
London Heathrow is set for a notable double return on March 29, 2026, when Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and ITA Airways both resume service to the UK’s busiest airport. The date matters: it’s the start of the IATA summer schedule season, when many airlines roll out network and frequency changes.
A third newcomer is also on the horizon: Alaska Airlines is currently scheduled to begin Heathrow flying on May 22, 2026.
Why Heathrow Adds Are So Rare
Heathrow’s combination of high costs and limited slot availability makes new service difficult to launch. When airlines do enter (or re-enter) the airport, it’s usually because they’ve secured slots through leasing, swaps, or other slot reallocations.
That’s exactly what’s happening with both of these March 29 returns.
PIA Returns To Heathrow With Islamabad Flights
PIA plans to relaunch Islamabad (ISB)–London Heathrow (LHR) service on March 29, 2026, operating four times weekly with a Boeing 777-200ER. The airline last had regular Heathrow service in 2020, and its return follows the broader reopening of UK access for Pakistani carriers after restrictions that lasted into summer 2025.
PIA’s Heathrow comeback is enabled by reclaiming slots that had previously been leased out, allowing the carrier to add Heathrow alongside its restored UK flying elsewhere.
Planned schedule (April timings, local)
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Mondays: ISB 12:35 → LHR 17:00 / LHR 18:55 → ISB 06:40 (+1)
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Wednesdays: ISB 11:30 → LHR 15:55 / LHR 19:05 → ISB 06:50 (+1)
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Fridays: ISB 11:50 → LHR 16:15 / LHR 19:05 → ISB 06:50 (+1)
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Sundays: ISB 12:30 → LHR 16:55 / LHR 19:05 → ISB 06:50 (+1)
Why Islamabad–Heathrow Makes Sense
Heathrow–Islamabad is a large origin-and-destination market, and the absence of nonstop service at Heathrow has historically pushed passengers toward one-stop options via major hubs in the Gulf and beyond. With PIA returning, the airport regains a nonstop link on a route with substantial year-round demand, especially tied to visiting friends and relatives traffic.
ITA Airways Heads Back To Heathrow Yet Again
ITA Airways’ London strategy has been in motion for a while—shifting between airports and adjusting capacity. The airline is now scheduled to return to Rome Fiumicino (FCO)–London Heathrow (LHR) on March 29, 2026, the same day as PIA’s relaunch.
The plan is for double-daily flights operated by an Airbus A320neo. Heathrow access is being facilitated through leased slots tied to the Lufthansa Group, reflecting ITA’s evolving alignment within that ecosystem.
The Bigger Picture: Heathrow Keeps Tightening Its Lineup
Two same-day returns at Heathrow isn’t an everyday event—especially for airlines that have previously shifted away from the airport due to the slot and cost realities. With PIA restoring a high-demand South Asia route and ITA re-centering Rome service at Heathrow with higher frequency, March 29, 2026 is shaping up as a meaningful reshuffle in Heathrow’s summer network.
