Key Takeaways
- South Air has commenced scheduled domestic flights from Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport.
- The airline launched services on the Karachi-Turbat-Quetta and Karachi-Bahawalpur-Islamabad routes.
- Initial operations include one weekly flight to Turbat and three weekly flights to Bahawalpur.
Pakistan’s private regional carrier South Air has commenced scheduled domestic flight operations from Karachi, marking a significant addition to the country's aviation network. The airline launched services on two routes: Karachi-Turbat-Quetta and Karachi-Bahawalpur-Islamabad, with inaugural flights departing on Thursday morning.
According to Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA), these new services are expected to enhance domestic connectivity and provide passengers with improved travel options across the country. South Air’s Chief Executive Officer, Nishat Fatima, commented that the airline plans to expand its route network and fleet in the near future, aiming to benefit more cities.
Operating under the Tourism Promotion and Regional Integration (TPRI) Licence, the airline's new services are expected to promote tourism, facilitate trade, and strengthen regional integration by improving air connectivity across Pakistan. The airline is launching its services with modern ATR 72-600 aircraft, known for their fuel efficiency and compliance with international safety standards.
Initially, South Air will operate one weekly flight on the Turbat route and three weekly flights on the Bahawalpur route. The airline also plans to introduce flights to Peshawar, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, and Gwadar in the near future. Fatima stated that the establishment of South Air is not merely the addition of a new airline but a national effort to strengthen Pakistan's air connectivity.
The inaugural flights, Z8911 to Turbat and Z8942 to Bahawalpur, departed from Karachi on Thursday morning, marking the beginning of what is expected to be a significant development in the country’s domestic aviation sector. The airline aims to provide safe, punctual, and high-quality travel services to regions that have remained underserved by air travel.
South Air's launch comes at a time when Pakistan's aviation industry is looking to recover from the challenges posed by the pandemic. With the new services, the airline hopes to contribute to the country’s economic growth and regional integration.
The establishment of South Air is not merely the addition of a new airline, but a national effort to further strengthen Pakistan's air connectivity.
Nishat Fatima, South Air Chief Executive Officer
