Etihad Airways restarts Abu Dhabi–Peshawar route after 11-year hiatus
Etihad Airways has resumed flights between Abu Dhabi and Peshawar after an
11-year suspension, according to the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA). The
return marks a major step in the UAE carrier’s ongoing expansion across South
Asia.
Flight EY276 touched down at Peshawar’s Bacha Khan International Airport on Monday morning, greeted by a ceremonial water salute. The route was suspended in 2014 after gunmen opened fire on a Pakistan International Airlines flight during landing, killing one passenger. Both Etihad and Emirates halted services in the wake of the attack, amid a surge in militant activity in the region.
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Etihad had also temporarily suspended operations in 2012 due to a previous attack on the airport.
“The airline will now operate five weekly
flights on the Abu Dhabi–Peshawar route — every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday,
Friday, and Sunday,” the PAA said in a statement.
The return of Etihad makes it the third
international airline to begin operations from Bacha Khan International Airport
this year, joining Fly Dubai and Saudi carrier Flyadeal.
Officials say the resumed flights will improve regional connectivity and offer passengers more travel options, especially for the large Pakistani diaspora living in the Gulf.
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The route’s revival comes as Etihad continues to recover from a prolonged restructuring process led by ADQ, Abu Dhabi’s $225 billion sovereign wealth fund. The airline is now focused on streamlining operations and tapping into strong demand for travel between the Gulf and Pakistan.
Source: Arab News