South Air launches Karachi flights to Quetta and Islamabad

KARACHI: South Air’s first flights from Karachi to Quetta via Turbat and to Islamabad via Bahawalpur departed from Jinnah International Airport on Thursday morning, according to a statement issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA).

The PAA said the start of operations by the new private carrier had added to domestic connectivity and expanded travel options for passengers using Karachi’s main airport. The new services would strengthen links within the country and improve access between cities.

Under its initial schedule, South Air will operate one weekly flight on the Karachi-Quetta route via Turbat and three weekly flights on the Karachi-Islamabad route via Bahawalpur, the authority said. According to the PAA, the airline also plans to expand its network with additional services from Karachi to Peshawar, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur and Gwadar.

The authority said the new routes were expected to support tourism, ease travel and facilitate trade by improving regional air links across Pakistan.

Existing air connectivity on some of the linked sectors remains limited. Pakistan International Airlines currently operates one weekly flight from Karachi to Turbat, while there are no other direct flights from Karachi to Bahawalpur at present.

South Air had earlier conducted its first trial flight from Karachi to Gwadar on May 26. According to a spokesperson for the private airline, stronger connectivity between Gwadar seaport and the international airport could help turn the city into a modern commercial and transit centre where sea and air transport work in tandem.

Last month, the airline also stated that it aimed to launch flights linking Dera Ismail Khan and Chitral in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with other parts of the country.