Qatar Airways,operated two flights a week between Peshawar and Doha

PESHAWAR The sixth foreign airline operating flights to Peshawar has also suspended its operations due to security concerns.Qatar Airways, which operated two flights a week between Peshawar and Doha, the capital of Qatar, has decided not to fly to the Frontier metropolis. Its flights on the Doha-Peshawar-Doha route on October 17 and 22 have been cancelled and it appears that the operations to Peshawar would remain suspended for sometime.

Following rocket attacks on the Peshawar airport in mid August, five Gulf based airlines suspended their flights to Peshawar. These were Saudi Arabian Airlines, Emirates Airlines, Gulf Air, Air Arabia and Etihad Airways.Qatar Airways, however, continued to fly to Peshawar despite subsequent rocket attacks by militants on the airport. It isn’t known if heightened security concerns are the reason for suspension of Qatar Airways flights to Peshawar International Airport or some other factor has prompted the airline to make the decision.

It is possible that the start of a major military operation against the Tehrik e Taliban Pakistan TTP in South Waziristan is one of the reasons for suspending flights to Peshawar as the militants could retaliate by rocketing or bombing the airport. A military airbase is also located at the airport and is used by the Pakistan Air Force.Only three Pakistani airlines PIA, Air Blue and Shaheen now operate international flights to and from Peshawar. These airlines also use the Peshawar airport for domestic flights. All three airlines are reportedly making handsome profit from their overseas flights to and from Peshawar.

The absence of a five star hotel in Peshawar following the closure of Pearl Continental Hotel is another reason for the six foreign airlines not to fly to the city. The hotel suffered significant damage in a bomb explosion on June 9. There have been reports that the US government is keen to buy the property to set up its consulate and other offices in its premises.Air passengers from the NWFP are suffering due to the suspension of operations by the foreign airlines to Peshawar as they are now required to travel to Islamabad and other cities to catch flights. This involves spending more money and time.