KEY POINTS
- Etihad Airways reopens Abu Dhabi–Peshawar route after 10 years
- Five weekly flights initially; daily service from November 20
- Airbus A320 aircraft to operate with Business and Economy classes
- Return celebrated by passengers, airport staff, and aviation authorities
ISLAMABAD: The roar of jet engines was accompanied by a spray of water as the UAE-based Etihad Airways’ inaugural flight EY-276 from Abu Dhabi touched down at Peshawar’s Bacha Khan International Airport (BKIAP) on Monday, September 29, 2025.
The traditional water salute, a ceremonial tribute rarely seen outside major hubs, welcomed the aircraft and passengers, symbolising Peshawar’s reentry into the international air travel map after more than a decade.
The resumption comes after a 2014 suspension of flights, which followed a series of security incidents, including attacks near the airport and an assault on a commercial flight.
At the time, Etihad and other international carriers withdrew operations, leaving the city’s travellers dependent on connections through Islamabad or Karachi. Residents and expatriates alike recall long layovers and circuitous routes that made travel cumbersome.
Now, with security reportedly improved, Etihad has reinstated five weekly flights on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays using Airbus A320 aircraft that feature 8 Business Class seats and 150 Economy seats. From November 20, the airline plans to increase service to daily flights.
Passengers arriving on the inaugural flight expressed excitement and relief. “It feels like Peshawar has finally opened its doors to the world again,” said one traveller.
Earlier, airport staff lined the tarmac, clapping and waving as the aircraft rolled in under the mist of the water salute. Officials described the gesture as more than ceremonial; it was a signal of confidence in the city’s safety and growing international importance.
Return After Ten Years
The decade-long hiatus reflected broader regional security challenges. Etihad’s decision to return demonstrates renewed confidence in both safety and demand amid an improving state of law and order in the city, in particular, and across the country in general.
Travellers, staff, and local authorities joined in marking the milestone, emphasising connectivity, trade potential, and the city’s re-emerging role as an international gateway.
