South Air plans flights to DI Khan, Chitral

ISLAMABAD: Private carrier South Air has announced plans to begin flight operations linking Dera Ismail Khan and Chitral with other parts of the country, a press release issued by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor’s press secretary said after a meeting between South Air Chairman Kanwar Muhammad Tariq and Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Monday.

During the meeting, Tariq said the airline intended to launch daily flights to Dera Ismail Khan and described the city as an important destination for the company. He also said South Air would start regular flights to Chitral, adding that the airline wanted to connect smaller and remote parts of the country to the aviation network.

Tariq said South Air was set to begin flight operations across Pakistan this month and had completed its operational, technical and administrative preparations. He added that the airline also planned to operate flights from Peshawar to Karachi and Quetta, along with daily services between Peshawar and Lahore.

Last week, South Air carried out its first trial flight from Karachi to Gwadar, marking progress toward improving air travel facilities in the coastal region.

Governor promises support

Kundi assured the airline of every possible cooperation for the proposed DI Khan and Chitral services. He expressed confidence that South Air’s operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would succeed.

Speaking on the importance of aviation links, the governor said improved air connectivity was vital for tourism and business in the province, which he described as the tourism hub of Pakistan. He said several important areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa still lacked aviation facilities and voiced hope that flights from Peshawar to Karachi, Lahore and Quetta would help stimulate economic activity.

Kundi also said the entry of new airlines would support employment, tourism and commercial activity in the province.

DI Khan airport rehabilitation

The meeting took place days after the governor visited Dera Ismail Khan International Airport, where officials of the Pakistan Airports Authority briefed him on ongoing rehabilitation work. Kundi said the airport had remained closed since 2015.

He said runway carpeting work has already been completed, while the remaining work would be finished soon to make the airport operational again. He also said the proposed Green Field International Airport would be built on more than 1,700 acres and would have the capacity to handle over one million passengers a year.