British Airways has resumed direct service to Pakistan, more than 10 years after suspending operations due to security fears.
Flight BA261, which took off from London's Heathrow airport on the afternoon of June 2, landed at Islamabad International Airport early on June 3.
Thomas Drew, Britain’s top diplomat to Pakistan, called it a "big day" for Britain and Pakistan.
"@British_Airways first flight on its new direct service to Islamabad...can look forward to a warm welcome when it lands here tomorrow," he tweeted.
British Airways stopped flying to Pakistan in 2008, shortly after a suicide truck bombing that killed more than 50 people at Islamabad’s Marriott Hotel.
In December last year, the British carrier announced that it will return this month with three weekly flights from London's Heathrow airport to the Pakistani capital.
The announcement was "a reflection of the great improvements in the security situation in Pakistan" in the years since, Drew said at the time.
A little-known militant group claimed responsibility for the devastating September 2008 attack in Islamabad, but authorities blamed Al-Qaeda-linked militants.
Pakistan has battled homegrown militancy for nearly 15 years, with tens of thousands of people killed.
Britain is home to more than 1 million residents of Pakistani origin, making it the largest Pakistani diaspora community in Europe.
Pakistan International Airlines was previously the only carrier with direct flights between the two countries.
Editor's Picks
Subscribe
Afghanistan/Pakistan Trending
1
Tensions Rise As U.S., Taliban Exchange Threats
2'Lives Are In Danger': Afghans Devastated By Trump's Refugee Resettlement Suspension
3Afghans In Mexico Anxious But Defiant As U.S. Shuts Down Immigration App
4Pakistan Sets Deadline For West To Relocate Afghan Refugees
5Malala Condemns Taliban On Women’s Rights, Assails ‘Gender Apartheid’
6As Land Mines Kill More Afghans, Deminers Face Funding Crisis
72 U.S. Men Freed In Afghanistan In Exchange For Taliban Serving Life In California
8Afghans Laud ICC Arrest Warrants Over Taliban's Repression Of Women
9Trump Again Vows To End Ukraine War, Warns Taliban About Weapons
10Pakistan Cracks Down On Free Speech Online
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.