South Air: Pakistan’s New Airline Launches Karachi–Islamabad Flights in 2026
South Air, a new private Pakistani airline, begins scheduled commercial flights on July 16, 2026. The first route connects Karachi, Bahawalpur, and Islamabad. This article covers who runs the airline, which cities it flies to, what tickets cost, and what to expect if you’re booking a seat.
What is South Air
South Air (Pvt.) Limited is a private regional airline headquartered in Karachi. It operates under a Tourism Promotion and Regional Integration (TPRI) license issued by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA). This license category exists to bring private operators into regional routes that established carriers don’t serve.
South Air is a subsidiary of SOS Group, a conglomerate with operations in security, energy, technology, healthcare, education, shipping, and hospitality. Nishat Fatima serves as CEO. She is the first woman in Pakistan to lead an airline. Ejaz Mahmood Malik, a retired Air Vice Marshal of the Pakistan Air Force, is Chief Operating Officer.
Launch timeline
South Air was formally inaugurated on November 24, 2025, at a ceremony in Multan attended by Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, then Senate Chairman and Acting President of Pakistan. At the same event, South Air signed partnership agreements with Pakistan International Airlines for maintenance and overhaul support, and with Pakistan State Oil for fuelling.
The airline spent the following months on trial flights and certification. On May 25, 2026, it ran a test flight from Karachi to Gwadar and on to Quetta. Two days later, flight Z8-905 flew from Karachi and landed at New Gwadar International Airport, an airport built under the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor framework.
Regular weekly service to Gwadar and Quetta started on July 9, 2026. Karachi–Gwadar flights run every Thursday, and a three-city Karachi–Gwadar–Quetta rotation runs on Saturdays.
South Air’s first scheduled passenger route between major cities begins July 16, 2026, connecting Karachi, Bahawalpur, and Islamabad. This also marks the reopening of Bahawalpur Airport to commercial traffic.
Routes and destinations
South Air’s network currently covers or plans to cover:
- Karachi
- Islamabad
- Bahawalpur
- Gwadar
- Quetta
- Multan
- Sukkur
- Faisalabad
- Sialkot
- Panjgur
- Turbat
- Zhob
- Skardu
- Rahim Yar Khan (planned)
The airline has also announced plans for northern routes to Gilgit, Chitral, and Skardu, operating initially out of Islamabad and Lahore.
Karachi–Bahawalpur–Islamabad flight schedule
The July 16 inaugural flight departs Karachi at 7:30 AM and lands in Bahawalpur at 9:20 AM. It continues from Bahawalpur at 9:50 AM, reaching Islamabad at 11:40 AM. On the return leg, the aircraft leaves Islamabad at 12:25 PM and arrives back in Bahawalpur at 2:15 PM. Total journey time between Karachi and Islamabad is around 4 hours and 10 minutes, longer than a direct flight because of the Bahawalpur stop.
Ticket prices
South Air opened bookings on July 10, 2026, with three economy fare tiers for the Karachi–Islamabad route:
- Economy Basic: Rs. 14,218 (no checked baggage)
- Economy Value: Rs. 15,792 (includes 20kg checked baggage)
- Economy Premium: sold out for the inaugural flight
The one-way Karachi–Bahawalpur fare is set at Rs. 20,324. For comparison, established carriers on the Karachi–Islamabad route, including PIA, Airblue, AirSial, Fly Jinnah, and Serene Air, typically charge Rs. 20,000 and up for direct flights. Fares Can be changed anytime, to check latest fares you can contact us +92 344-7636496
Fleet
South Air operates ATR 72-500 turboprop aircraft, a model widely used on regional routes for its lower operating costs and ability to use shorter runways. The airline’s fleet stood at two aircraft as of mid-2026, with plans to add more as scheduled services expand.
Why South Air matters for regional travel
Most of South Air’s routes connect cities with limited or no existing scheduled flights, including Gwadar, Turbat, Panjgur, Zhob, and Bahawalpur. For travelers and businesses in South Punjab, interior Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, this adds an air option where road or rail travel previously dominated. The addition of a domestic carrier also adds price competition on the Karachi–Islamabad corridor, which has historically been served by five other airlines.
How to book a South Air flight
Tickets can be booked directly through South Air’s official website, or you can book From Al Hmadna Travel and Holidays.Fare tiers, baggage allowances, and available dates are listed at the time of booking. As with any newly launched airline, it’s worth confirming your flight status close to departure, since schedules on new routes can shift in the early weeks of operation.
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