lyDubai has officially commenced operations at Peshawar’s Bacha Khan International Airport, following an earlier announcement that it would begin daily services to the city starting May 15. The extension of FlyDubai’s service has been warmly received by the local population.

According to the airline, flights to Bacha Khan International Airport will operate from Terminal 2 of Dubai International Airport. The flight duration between Peshawar and Dubai is approximately three hours. The airline is operating seven weekly flights on this route.

FlyDubai now offers daily flights between Dubai and Peshawar, providing more travel options for passengers from the UAE and the Gulf region. The airline already operates flights to several other Pakistani cities, including Karachi, Faisalabad, Islamabad, Lahore, Multan, Quetta and Sialkot.

Highlighting the significance of this new route, FlyDubai emphasised Peshawar’s historical importance as one of South Asia’s oldest cities, citing landmarks such as the Bala Hisar Fort and the iconic Qissa Khwani Bazaar, once a bustling hub for poets and traders.

The development has been welcomed by many overseas Pakistanis from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa who are working in the UAE. International flights to Bacha Khan International Airport have been limited, often forcing passengers to travel to Islamabad due to a lack of flight options. FlyDubai’s entry is expected to ease travel and offer more affordable fares than other international carriers.

Murad Khan Mohmand, who hails from Peshawar and has travelled to Dubai twice in the recent years, says he used Islamabad Airport for both his trips. “It’s a good development. FlyDubai has added a new option for passengers travelling to Dubai from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” he says. “UAE officials should also reconsider the visa restrictions on people from KP.”

Speaking to The News on Sunday, Azmat Akbar, a travel writer and chief operating officer of Trip Trails Pakistan, a Peshawar-based tourist company, said the launch of FlyDubai’s flights from Peshawar would not only benefit overseas Pakistanis living in the Gulf and beyond, but also help reduce airfares for routes originating from the city.

“FlyDubai is a budget airline. Its fares are lower than those of other carriers. With its entry, we hope to see more competitive pricing across the board,” he said.

Asif Rehmat, a travel agent based in Peshawar, said FlyDubai’s arrival has significantly transformed the local aviation market. Speaking to TNS, he said the airline’s launch has disrupted the status quo and ushered in a new era of competition and affordability.

The flight duration between Peshawar and Dubai is approximately three hours. The airline is operating seven weekly flights on this route.

“Since FlyDubai began operations from Peshawar, it has ended the dominance of other airlines, creating a competitive environment that will ultimately benefit the passengers,” Rehmat said.

One of FlyDubai’s major advantages, according to Rehmat, is the consistent availability of tickets. “Unlike some other airlines, FlyDubai tickets are easy to book. It has made travel more convenient for everyone,” he said.

Rehmat also highlighted affordability as the airline’s most attractive feature. “Whereas other airlines were charging up to Rs 80,000 for a one-way ticket to Dubai, FlyDubai has entered the market with fares around Rs 50,000. That has given it an instant edge. However, such low fares may not last forever,” he cautioned.

Another key benefit, he said, was daily flights. That simplifies travel planning. “Many people from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa work as labourers in Dubai. For them, budget-friendly and readily available tickets are essential,” he added.

Rehmat also praised FlyDubai’s punctuality. “Its arrival and departure times are precise. Departures from Peshawar are scheduled around 2 am, which is ideal for passengers coming from remote areas such as South Waziristan, Chitral, Upper Dir and Upper Swat.”

He noted that FlyDubai’s operations have been beneficial not only for travelers, but also for local travel agencies. “Cheaper tickets mean more people are flying. This has boosted our business significantly,” the travel agent said.

However, Rehmat also pointed out a hurdle: “Our business could have grown even more, but the UAE has imposed visa restrictions on people from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. If those restrictions are lifted, we will see a substantial increase in travel.”

Rehmat emphasised that FlyDubai was not just a good option for travel to Dubai, but also a cost-effective gateway to the rest of the world. “Through its partnerships with major international carriers like Emirates, passengers from Peshawar can reach global destinations at a lower cost. The airline offers extensive route options.”

He added that FlyDubai also provides competitive group fares for Umrah pilgrims. “Its flexible policies are a plus point. In certain cases, even refunds are possible. This is rare among international carriers.”

“FlyDubai has brought both economic and logistic relief to travellers and travel businesses in the region, making global connectivity more accessible from Peshawar,” Rehman said.

The Emirati-owned airline is only the second to launch direct flights on the Peshawar-Dubai route. In October 2023, SalamAir became the first carrier on this route.

The writer is a multimedia producer. He tweets @daudpasaney