ISLAMABAD – Defence Minister Khawaja Asif announced that Pakistan has granted approval for an airline, Norse Atlantic, to operate direct flights between the United Kingdom and Islamabad.
Taking to social media platform X, he said the “UK-based” airline will offer flights from London, Manchester, and Birmingham to the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, marking an expansion in international air travel options for Pakistan.
Asif added that the approval is expected to boost the competitive landscape of international airlines operating in Pakistan, encouraging a more balanced approach to airfare pricing and improving the overall quality of services.
پاکستان نے برطانیہ کی ایئرلائن نورس اٹلانٹک (Norse Atlantic) کو نامزد کرنے کی منظوری دے دی ہے۔ یہ ایئرلائن لندن، مانچسٹر اور برمنگھم سے پاکستان کے دارالحکومت اسلام آباد کے لیے براہِ راست پروازیں شروع کرے گی۔
پاکستان میں بین الاقوامی ایئرلائنز کی پروازوں میں اضافے سے مسابقتی…
— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) January 1, 2026
However, the announcement has sparked controversy regarding the origin of the Norse Atlantic airline.
In his post, Asif described Norse Atlantic, a UK-based airline. However, social media users were quick to point out an error in Asif’s claim.
Several pointed out that Norse Atlantic is actually a Norwegian airline, not a British one as the minister stated.
One user wrote: “This is our defence minister. He doesn’t even know that Norse Atlantic is not from the UK. It is from Norway.”
وفاقی وزیرِ دفاع کو یہ بھی نہیں معلوم کہ نور اٹلانٹک برطانیہ کی نہیں، ناروے کی ائرلائن ہے اور بہت ہی بدنام ہے، اس ایئرلائن کے ریویوز حاظر ہیں👇 pic.twitter.com/YYCqCBFzgb
— Shahid Qazi (@QaziShahid786) January 1, 2026
The mix-up led to a flurry of responses from social media users, with some highlighting the airline’s less-than-stellar reputation, adding to the controversy.
This is our defence minister. He doesn’t even know that norse atlantic is not from UK. It is from Norway.
— IMRAN ALI KHAN (@IMRANAL59027665) January 1, 2026
Some also questioned the minister’s awareness of the details surrounding the airline, which led to further public scrutiny.
Earlier this week, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announced the resumption of its Islamabad to London flights after a six-year break.
The airline, in a statement, said four weekly flights will be operated, landing at Heathrow Airport’s modern Terminal 4. The inaugural flight is set to depart on March 29, marking the return of this popular route.
This move comes after PIA recently resumed flights from Islamabad to Manchester. The London route, known as one of PIA’s most frequented international services, had been paused for several years.
