Etihad Airways has launched its first direct flight to Peshawar, expanding its Pakistan network to four cities and providing new travel options between the UAE and northern Pakistan.
The new route links Abu Dhabi with Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, known for its historical and cultural significance. The airline expects the service to benefit the more than 1.5 million Pakistanis living in the UAE, while also supporting travel for trade, business, and tourism.
Peshawar joins Etihad’s existing destinations in Pakistan, Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, further enhancing connectivity between the two countries.
Route details and expansion
Initially, Etihad will operate five flights per week to Peshawar using Airbus A320 aircraft, with eight Business Class and 150 Economy Class seats. Daily flights will begin from November 20.
Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer at Etihad Airways, said: “The launch of Peshawar reflects Etihad’s commitment to building a robust global network. With Pakistan being home to one of the largest expatriate communities in the UAE, we are pleased to launch this new route offering more flexibility for the community’s travel needs.”
He added: “With this new service, we are going beyond connecting families and friends, we are also welcoming more visitors from Pakistan to discover Abu Dhabi as a vibrant global business and tourism destination.”
Wider regional growth
The Peshawar launch comes ahead of Etihad’s planned expansion across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and North Africa. In October and November, the airline is set to introduce flights to Medan, Phnom Penh, Addis Ababa, Krabi, Tunis, Hanoi, Chiang Mai, Hong Kong, Algiers, and Medina.
These additions reflect Etihad’s continued efforts to strengthen its global presence and provide more travel options to and from the UAE.
