Saudi Airlines suspend Peshawar flight operations
PESHAWAR: Saudi Arabian Airlines has suspended its operations to and from Peshawar on Saturday following an attack on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) boeing 756 which had left a woman dead and two crew members injured.
The Civil Aviation Authority has confirmed that Saudi Airlines has stopped its operations from Peshawar Airport.
A Riyadh bound Saudi Airlines flight was diverted from Peshawar and 330 passengers were shifted to Islamabad.
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Earlier Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways and Emirates airlines had also suspended their operations and diverted all flights to Islamabad.
Flight suspensions have not only affected passengers but also labourers, drivers and other supporting staff working at the airport.
On June 25, the Emirates airline had officially suspended its flight operations to and from Peshawar in the wake of the vicious attack on the city's Bacha Khan International Airport.
Due to its geographical location, security at the Peshawar airport is always tricky as the landing route starts from the tribal areas of Bara and Darra Adamkhel which are fragile for security.
Peshawar Airport is surrounded by residential areas, including the slums of Nawai Kalley, Badbher and the rural-urban mix population of Ring Road villages on one side.