The New Airline Making Regional Air Travel Affordable, Accessible, and Game-Changing (Launched)
South Air has officially taken off as Pakistan’s latest domestic airline, bringing fresh hope to millions who live in smaller cities and remote areas. Launched in late November 2025, this next-generation carrier is not just another airline — it is a serious attempt to fix one of Pakistan’s biggest travel problems: the huge gap between major cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad and the underserved towns in South Punjab, interior Sindh, Balochistan, and northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
With a clear focus on affordability, reliability, and connecting places that big airlines often ignore, South Air started operations right after its grand inauguration. Its first commercial flight linked Karachi to Multan, and the airline is now rapidly expanding its network. Whether you are a student heading to university, a family visiting relatives, a small business owner shipping goods, or a tourist exploring hidden gems like Gwadar or Skardu, South Air aims to make flying realistic and budget-friendly for everyone.
The Vision Behind South Air – Bridging Pakistan’s Connectivity Divide
Pakistan has world-class potential in agriculture, mining, tourism, and trade, but poor air links hold many regions back. Long road journeys (sometimes 12–20 hours) are tiring, time-consuming, and risky, especially in bad weather or for medical emergencies.
South Air’s mission is simple yet powerful:
- Make air travel a basic right, not a luxury
- Connect smaller cities directly to economic hubs
- Keep fares low so students, families, and middle-class travelers can fly
- Boost local economies, tourism, and education access
By using modern, efficient aircraft on short-to-medium regional routes, the airline plans to cut travel time dramatically while offering comfortable, safe journeys.
Official Launch and Inauguration Ceremony
South Air was officially inaugurated on 24 November 2025 in Multan by Chairman Senate Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani (who was also Acting President at the time). The ceremony marked a proud moment for the country.
Gilani called the launch a “historic step” for regional connectivity. He emphasized that stronger air links would help develop smaller cities, improve access to healthcare and education, and strengthen national unity. He specifically urged the management to keep ticket prices affordable so that even ordinary people and lawmakers could benefit.
The event was attended by government officials, business leaders, aviation experts, and local dignitaries. It took place just before the first revenue flight, creating huge excitement across Pakistan.
Inaugural Flight and Early Operations
South Air’s very first scheduled commercial flight operated on the Karachi to Multan route shortly after the launch (late November 2025). This route was chosen as the starting point because Multan is a major hub for South Punjab with strong passenger demand, yet it lacked enough affordable, frequent flights.
Early feedback from passengers has been positive — shorter travel times, comfortable seating, and competitive pricing compared to road or competing flights.
Fleet – Modern ATR 72 Aircraft Designed for Regional Flying
South Air has started operations with ATR 72 turboprop aircraft. These planes are an excellent choice for Pakistan’s domestic network for several reasons:
- Highly fuel-efficient → helps keep fares low
- Excellent performance on short runways (perfect for smaller airports like Turbat, Panjgur, Chitral, Skardu)
- Comfortable cabin with modern seats and good legroom
- Proven reliability and strong safety record worldwide
- Lower operating costs than jet aircraft on routes under 800–900 km
The airline’s new bold livery was revealed in early November 2025 — a clean, modern design that reflects Pakistani pride and a fresh identity in the skies.
Current and Planned Route Network
South Air is building a smart hub-and-spoke model with focus on underserved destinations.
Key cities already in focus or planned:
- South Punjab → Multan (MUX), Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan
- Interior Sindh → Sukkur, possibly more
- Balochistan → Gwadar, Turbat, Panjgur, Quetta, Zhob
- Northern Areas & KPK → Skardu, Gilgit, Chitral, Islamabad, Peshawar
- Central/North Punjab → Faisalabad, Sialkot
Example of Early/Planned Key Routes (as of early 2026):
| Route | Approx. Flight Time | Target Passenger Type | Strategic Importance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karachi → Multan | 1 hr 20 min | Business, families, students | Inaugural route, high demand |
| Multan → Sukkur | ~1 hr | Trade & agriculture | Agriculture corridor |
| Karachi → Gwadar | ~2 hrs | Tourism, business, CPEC-related | Coastal & port connectivity |
| Multan → Turbat | ~2.5 hrs | Remote Balochistan access | Underserved region |
| Islamabad → Skardu | ~1 hr 10 min | Tourism & northern travel | Boost to Gilgit-Baltistan tourism |
| Quetta → Karachi | ~2 hrs | Business & families | Balochistan capital link |
More routes are being added gradually as fleet size grows and approvals are received.
Economic and Social Impact – Why South Air Matters
This airline has the potential to transform lives in ways that go far beyond flying:
- Economy — Faster movement of people and goods → better trade, agriculture exports, and small business growth
- Tourism — Easier access to Gwadar beaches, Skardu valleys, Chitral valleys → huge boost for local hotels, guides, and handicrafts
- Education & Healthcare — Students and patients no longer face marathon road journeys
- Employment — Job creation in aviation, ground handling, tourism, and related sectors
- National Unity — Bringing distant regions closer to the mainstream
Gilani rightly pointed out that affordable air travel will especially help middle and lower-middle class families.
Booking, Customer Experience, and Contact Information
Passengers can book via:
- Official website → southair.com.pk (online booking portal is live or rolling out)
- Call center → 051-111-222-999
- Email → [email protected]
Head office: 5th Floor, Bahria Complex II, M.T. Khan Road, Karachi.
The airline is promising modern features like easy online check-in, real-time updates, and passenger-first service.
How South Air Compares to Other Domestic Airlines
| Airline | Focus Area | Aircraft Type | Strength | Weakness vs South Air |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PIA | National + International | Mix (jets + ATR) | Wide network | Higher fares, reliability issues |
| Airblue | Major cities + Middle East | A320 jets | Good service | Less focus on small cities |
| SereneAir | Domestic trunk routes | A320/ATR | Reliable | Limited smaller city coverage |
| South Air | Underserved regional cities | ATR 72 turboprops | Lowest fares + remote access | Newer, smaller network (growing) |
South Air’s biggest advantage right now is price competitiveness on routes to smaller airports where jets cannot easily operate.
Future Outlook
As of January 2026, South Air is still in its early months but has strong momentum. If it maintains low costs, high punctuality, and good customer service, it could quickly become the preferred choice for regional travel in Pakistan.
Challenges ahead include fuel prices, competition on popular routes, and scaling up the fleet safely. However, the demand is clearly there — and the government backing shown at the launch is a positive signal.
Bottom line: South Air is not just launching flights. It is launching new possibilities for millions of Pakistanis who have waited decades for better connectivity. This is one of the most exciting developments in Pakistan’s aviation sector in recent years.
For the latest schedules, fares, and bookings, visit southair.com.pk or call 051-111-222-999.
Welcome to the skies, South Air! 🇵🇰✈️
