South Air, a new domestic airline, plans to start commercial flight operations next month with two 70 seater ATR aircraft. The airline has secured its licence and commercial approvals for domestic routes, according to its management.
Air Vice Marshal Retd Ijaz Mahmood Malik, Deputy CEO of South Air, shared the details while speaking to ProPakistani on the sidelines of the Pakistan Travel Mart MoU signing ceremony held at a hotel in Islamabad on Wednesday. He said the airline is ready to begin operations after completing regulatory requirements.
In the first phase, South Air will operate flights from Karachi to cities in Sindh and Balochistan, including Sukkur and Quetta. It also plans to run services from Islamabad to Multan and several northern destinations.
Malik said the airline will follow a different operating model compared to other private carriers. “Our focus is to link major cities with smaller destinations and provide reliable air travel. Initially, we will operate two weekly flights on selected routes, with frequency increasing over time based on demand,” he said.
He added that South Air plans to induct three more ATR aircraft by mid year once operations are underway. The expansion is aimed at meeting growing domestic travel needs across multiple routes.
According to Malik, the airline will cater not only to tourists but also to local and international business travellers. He said the goal is to make air travel more accessible, efficient, and affordable, especially for areas that remain underserved.
Alongside passenger services, South Air will also offer charter and cargo operations.
Speaking at the same event, Syed Muhammad Ali Hamdani, CEO of Pakistan Travel Mart, said tourism in Pakistan is picking up, but stronger coordination between the public and private sectors is still needed. He said joint efforts among hospitality businesses, logistics firms, and tour operators could further strengthen the sector and its economic contribution.
Ken Marshall, Chief Operating Officer of FRG, said Pakistan has strong potential to attract tourists due to its natural and historical sites. He added that improving infrastructure and facilities in tourist areas would help draw more visitors, boost foreign exchange inflows, and improve the country’s global image.
