Direct flights between Peshawar and Lahore will begin on Monday 9 November, restoring a direct air link between the capitals of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab in time for Iqbal Day.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi announced the service, which is being launched in collaboration with South Airways. The first flight is scheduled to depart Peshawar for Lahore at around 1pm on 9 November.

An hour instead of a road journey

The flight will take approximately 50 minutes to one hour, a sharp cut on the long road journey between the two cities. Initially, four flights will operate each week, with the frequency to be reviewed as passenger demand becomes clear.

Mr Kundi said the service would provide a convenient travel option for people from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa living in Lahore, including businesspeople and employees. Frequent travel between the two cities is common among traders, academics, government officials and professionals with commercial and personal ties in both places.

More routes under consideration

The governor said the direct Peshawar-Quetta air service was already operating successfully, and that authorities were considering increasing the frequency of the new Lahore service. Air connections to Dera Ismail Khan, Chitral and Parachinar are also being explored, he added.

The announcement was welcomed as a step towards better regional connectivity, with officials saying the route would support business, family visits and same-day travel for meetings and administrative work.