For many travellers, Peshawar is the gateway to one of South Asia’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. For aviation enthusiasts, however, Bacha Khan International Airport (PEW/OPPS) is a destination in its own right. With almost a century of history, a strategic location near the Khyber Pass and one of the world’s most unusual runway features, PEW is far more than just another regional airport.
A Gateway to the Frontier
Located around 5 kilometres from the centre of Peshawar, the airport serves as the principal gateway to Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. It connects the historic frontier city with the rest of Pakistan and the Middle East, where millions of Pakistanis live and work.
Originally opened in 1927, the airport was established by the British as an important refuelling stop on the air routes linking Europe with the Indian subcontinent. At a time when aircraft lacked the range to fly long distances non-stop, Peshawar became a key stopover on international journeys.
Today, the airport bears the name of Bacha Khan (Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan), the famous Pashtun leader who advocated non-violence and education. Renamed in 2012, the airport reflects both the region’s aviation heritage and its cultural identity.
A Runway Unlike Almost Any Other
What makes Peshawar truly unique is something that most passengers never notice.
The airport’s single 2,743-metre runway (17/35) is crossed by part of the historic Khyber Railway, one of the engineering marvels of British India. Although trains no longer operate regularly, the railway still physically intersects the runway, making PEW one of only a handful of airports worldwide with such an extraordinary feature.
For aviation geeks, this alone makes Peshawar worth adding to the list.
More Than a Domestic Airport
While Peshawar is smaller than Karachi or Islamabad, its international role is significant. The majority of passengers travel to and from the Gulf, with frequent services to destinations including Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah and Sharjah.
The airport is served by airlines including Pakistan International Airlines, Fly Jinnah, Airblue, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Saudia, Flyadeal and Air Arabia. Domestic flights connect Peshawar with Karachi, Islamabad and other major Pakistani cities.
Its location near Afghanistan has also made the airport strategically important throughout its history, serving humanitarian, military and commercial operations during different periods.
Terminal and Facilities
The current terminal has been extensively modernised while remaining relatively compact and easy to navigate. Two passenger boarding bridges, modern check-in facilities, duty-free shopping, restaurants, ATMs and free Wi-Fi provide a comfortable experience for travellers.
Unlike many enormous international hubs, PEW retains a relaxed atmosphere where moving from check-in to the departure gate rarely takes long.
My Experience
I first visited Bacha Khan International Airport on 19 March 2023, arriving on Fly Jinnah flight 9P865 from Karachi.
- Date: 19 March 2023
- Flight: 9P865
- Airline: Fly Jinnah
- Aircraft: Airbus A320
- Registration: AP-BOO
- Route: Karachi (KHI) → Peshawar (PEW)
- Departure: 14:40
- Arrival: 16:30
Flying into Peshawar was one of the highlights of my journey through Pakistan. The airport immediately feels different from the country’s larger hubs. There is a sense of history here that reflects Peshawar itself—a city that has stood at the crossroads of civilizations for thousands of years.
Knowing that the runway is crossed by the historic Khyber Railway made the visit even more special. It’s one of those quirky aviation facts that perfectly fits the spirit of Quixotic Guide: places where travel is about discovering stories, not just ticking destinations off a map.
Peshawar may not be Pakistan’s largest airport, but it is certainly one of its most fascinating. Whether you’re exploring the ancient bazaars of the city or simply adding another unique airport to your flight log, PEW offers a memorable introduction to one of the country’s most historic regions.
