The twice-weekly service will begin on 25 October, operating on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and is expected to expand in frequency. The route will serve an estimated 362,000 passengers in the region who travel to Islamabad each year, offering a faster and more convenient alternative to connecting flights through the Middle East or departures from London.

The launch makes Manchester the only airport in the North with a direct link to Pakistan and adds to its growing network of more than 200 destinations served by over 50 airlines. It follows a recent wave of South Asian route expansions, including new services from Indian carrier IndiGo.

Chris Woodroofe, Managing Director at Manchester Airport, said: "We know hundreds of thousands of passengers from our catchment area travel to Pakistan every year but don’t have the option of enjoying the benefits of a direct connection.

"Our partnership with Pakistan International Airlines puts that right and adds Islamabad to our route network of more than 200 destinations served by 50-plus airlines. This new route will be a real boost to the region’s Pakistani community and opens up an easy way for tourists to visit an exciting country. We’re all really looking forward to the first flights in just a few weeks and to hearing about people’s experiences of an amazing destination."

A Pakistan International Airlines spokesperson added: "This new service fulfils the long-standing demand of our valued passengers for hassle-free, nonstop travel between Pakistan and the United Kingdom. With this development, travellers can now reach their destination in just eight hours, avoiding lengthy layovers on connecting flights."

The new route will operate from Manchester Airport’s £1.3 billion Terminal 2, the centrepiece of its decade-long transformation programme. The airport said the expansion underlines its role as a key international gateway for the North and a growing hub for South Asian air travel.