Peshawar-Lahore Direct Flights From November 9
Peshawar Lahore direct flights will begin on November 9, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi announced on Saturday, restoring air connectivity between the two cities.
The direct flight between Peshawar and Lahore will begin on November 9, providing air connectivity between the two cities, the governor said in a statement.
He said the journey between Peshawar and Lahore would take around 50 minutes to one hour by air, compared with the longer travel time by road.
The service will be operated in collaboration with South Air. Initially, four flights will operate on the Peshawar-Lahore route per week, with the first flight scheduled to depart from Peshawar at around 1pm on November 9.
The launch falls on Iqbal Day, the birth anniversary of national poet Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
Peshawar Lahore direct flights to help travellers
In a statement, Kundi said the new route would improve connectivity for residents of the province, particularly those who travelled to Lahore for business and other purposes.
The service will particularly facilitate Khyber Pakhtunkhwa residents living in Lahore, as well as businesspeople and employees who frequently travel between the two cities.
At present, travellers between the two provincial capitals must either drive for several hours or fly through another city. A direct flight of under an hour cuts that journey sharply, and it gives traders, students and families a same-day option that the road cannot offer.
The road journey between the two cities takes around five to six hours by motorway, so the direct flight cuts the trip to under an hour and makes a same-day return possible.
Kundi said a direct flight from Peshawar to Quetta had already been launched, while efforts were under way to establish further air links with other parts of the province.
He said the proposed connectivity would include Dera Ismail Khan, Chitral and Parachinar. He added that the initiatives were aimed at improving connectivity across the province and developing Peshawar into a modern city.
Aviation and transport push
The new route adds to a week of movement in Pakistan’s transport sector. A new state lounge is planned at Islamabad airport ahead of the SCO summit, and Pakistan Railways is adding 14 freight trains to its network.
For Peshawar, the flight is also a test of demand. Four flights a week is a modest start, and the frequency will rise only if seats fill. The governor has said the frequency would be increased in the future if the response is strong.
The first flight on Monday will show whether the route draws the business and family traffic it is aimed at. Fares and the full timetable have not been announced yet, and bookings will be made through the airline’s official channels.
In a separate event, Kundi addressed a ceremony in Peshawar and said the provincial government had been taking steps to improve the healthcare sector, provide facilities to doctors and hospitals, and establish a strong healthcare institution.
He also spoke about the killing of a National Database and Registration Authority officer in Peshawar the previous day. He said police were investigating the incident and that no one involved would be spared.
Frequently asked questions
When do Peshawar-Lahore direct flights start?
Direct flights between Peshawar and Lahore begin on November 9, 2026, which is Iqbal Day. The first flight is scheduled to depart from Peshawar at around 1pm.
How long is the Peshawar-Lahore flight?
The journey takes around 50 minutes to one hour by air, compared with the much longer travel time by road.
How many flights will operate each week?
Initially, four flights per week will operate on the Peshawar-Lahore route. The service is being run in collaboration with South Air, and the frequency may be increased later.
Which other routes are planned?
A direct flight from Peshawar to Quetta has already been launched. The governor said work was under way to explore air links to Dera Ismail Khan, Chitral and Parachinar.
