New Pakistani Private Airline Starts Flights

South Air has officially launched its domestic flight operations, with its inaugural services departing from Karachi to Quetta via Turbat and to Islamabad via Bahawalpur, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) announced.

According to the PAA, the inaugural flights departed from Jinnah International Airport on Thursday, marking the start of the private airline’s scheduled domestic operations. The authority said the launch of the new airline would strengthen Pakistan’s domestic air network by offering passengers more travel options and improving connectivity between major cities.

Initially, South Air will operate one weekly flight on the Karachi to Quetta route via Turbat and three weekly flights between Karachi and Islamabad via Bahawalpur. The airline also plans to expand its domestic network by launching flights from Karachi to Peshawar, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur and Gwadar, according to the PAA.

The authority said the new routes are expected to promote tourism, facilitate trade and improve regional connectivity across Pakistan. At present, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) operates one weekly flight between Karachi and Turbat, while no airline currently offers direct flights from Karachi to Bahawalpur.

South Air conducted its first trial flight from Karachi to Gwadar on May 26. At the time, the airline said stronger connectivity between Gwadar Port and Gwadar International Airport could help develop the city into a major commercial and transit hub by integrating maritime and air transport.