Etihad Bridges Continents: Peshawar Route Opens Doors

Etihad Airways is charting a new course, connecting Africa and Pakistan with the launch of its Peshawar route. This strategic move creates a wealth of opportunities for African travel agents, offering new avenues for business growth and enhanced connectivity for their clients. Starting September 29, 2025, with five weekly flights, and transitioning to daily service from November 22, 2025, this new route bridges continents and opens doors to a world of possibilities.

The Abu Dhabi-Peshawar connection, utilizing modern Airbus A320 aircraft, marks Etihad’s fourth gateway into Pakistan, complementing existing services to Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore. This expansion reinforces Abu Dhabi’s strategic position as a global travel hub, facilitating seamless connections between Africa, the Gulf, Europe, and North America. CEO Antonoaldo Neves emphasizes Etihad’s commitment to expanding its network and providing travelers with more convenient and efficient travel options.

For African travel professionals, this new route is a game-changer. It unlocks access to a vibrant and growing market, enabling agents to curate unique travel itineraries that combine the cultural richness of Pakistan with the diverse attractions of Africa. This enhanced connectivity opens doors for increased business travel, tourism, and cultural exchange between the two regions, creating a lucrative market for travel agents specializing in these destinations.

The Peshawar route seamlessly integrates with Etihad’s broader network expansion, which includes new destinations and increased frequencies across Africa, Europe, and North America. Recent additions like Addis Ababa, Prague, Warsaw, Algiers, Tunis, and Atlanta, along with frequency boosts to key European hubs, further enhance connectivity and provide travel agents with a wider range of options to tailor itineraries to their clients’ specific needs. This expanded network creates a ripple effect, stimulating travel demand and generating new business opportunities for African travel agents.

Etihad’s Abu Dhabi Stopover program adds another layer of value for African travelers. This program offers up to two complimentary nights in Abu Dhabi, allowing passengers to explore the city’s vibrant culture, stunning architecture, and world-class attractions during their layovers. This unique offering enhances the overall travel experience and provides an added incentive for African travelers to choose Etihad, creating a compelling selling point for travel agents.

From a practical perspective, the Peshawar route offers convenient booking and scheduling options for travel agents. The Airbus A320’s configuration, with 8 Business and 150 Economy seats, caters to diverse travel budgets and preferences. The initial five weekly flights, increasing to daily service, provide flexibility and convenience for travelers, making it easier for agents to manage bookings and create seamless travel arrangements.

The timing of this launch coincides with a period of growth and development in the African travel industry. As more African countries invest in improved infrastructure and tourism development, the demand for air travel is on the rise. This positive trend creates a fertile ground for travel agents to leverage Etihad’s expanded network and capitalize on the growing interest in travel to and from Africa.

The Peshawar route is more than just a new flight connection; it’s a gateway to new opportunities for African travel agents. By embracing this development and incorporating it into their service offerings, agents can enhance their value proposition, attract new clients, and contribute to the continued growth of the African travel industry. This strategic move by Etihad Airways is a win-win for both the airline and the African travel trade, fostering stronger connections and unlocking the potential of a dynamic and evolving travel market.

Etihad’s strategic expansion into Peshawar, combined with its Abu Dhabi Stopover program and broader network growth, presents a compelling opportunity for African travel professionals. By leveraging these developments, agents can differentiate themselves in a competitive market, enhance their service offerings, and contribute to the continued growth of the African travel industry.