Key Takeaways
- South Air commenced its inaugural flights from Jinnah International Airport, Karachi.
- The new carrier will initially operate one weekly flight on the Karachi-Quetta route via Turbat and three weekly flights on the Karachi-Islamabad route via Bahawalpur.
- These services are expected to enhance domestic air connectivity and promote tourism in Pakistan.
South Air's inaugural flights from Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, have commenced with departures for Quetta and Islamabad. The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) announced the launch of these new services on Thursday morning, highlighting their significance in strengthening domestic air connectivity.
According to PAA, South Air will initially operate one weekly flight on the Karachi-Quetta route via Turbat and three weekly flights on the Karachi-Islamabad route via Bahawalpur. The airline plans to expand its operations with additional routes from Karachi to Peshawar, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, and Gwadar.
PAA stated that these new air services are expected to promote tourism, facilitate trade, and improve travel convenience by enhancing regional connectivity across Pakistan. Currently, only one weekly flight operates between Karachi and Turbat, while no direct flights exist from Karachi to Bahawalpur.
South Air successfully launched its first trial flight from Karachi to Gwadar on May 26. A spokesperson for the private airline emphasized that improved connectivity between the Gwadar seaport and international airport could help transform the city into a modern commercial and transit hub where maritime and air transport complement each other.
Last month, South Air also expressed its intention to launch flights connecting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan and Chitral with the rest of Pakistan. The airline's expansion plans are aimed at providing passengers with enhanced travel options and improved connectivity within the country.
The new services represent an important addition to the domestic flight network at Jinnah International Airport, offering passengers a wider range of destinations from Karachi. PAA noted that these flights will further strengthen Pakistan’s domestic air connectivity and support regional development.
