A sad loss indeed it was one of their better performing routes. I guess they will just put the flights back into MAN as the demand from Yorkshire can always travel over there.
PIA have been hit by late flights breaking the night time noise rules put in when the runway extension was granted. They reduced from 3 flights a week to 2 to try and mitigate and said they would look at using a 777 to take up the slack as they are quieter than the A310s. It appears the 777 must be a non starter due to restrictions caused by runway length in certain conditions.
Their A310s must be due replacement soon and a perfect replacement will soon be available in the 787 which has fantastic runway performance, unfortunately PIA have not ordered any.
Lets just hope someone can be found to take over the route if they do pull out rather then have the Pakistani community having to brave the M62 again before their long flight to ISB.