Staff Correspondent
Peshawar, June 1, 2026: The new private airline South Air is set to begin flight operations to Chitral as part of its broader plan to connect remote and underserved regions of Pakistan with the national air network.
The announcement came during a meeting between South Air officials and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor , where progress on the airline’s upcoming operations was reviewed.
Governor Kundi welcomed the initiative, calling DI Khan a “very important station” and assuring the airline of “every possible cooperation” for launching flights to both Dera Ismail Khan and Chitral. He expressed confidence that South Air’s operations in the province would be successful.
South Air management said the airline would begin nationwide flight operations this month after completing all operational, technical, and administrative preparations. The carrier also plans to operate flights from Peshawar to Karachi, Quetta, and daily services to Lahore.
Officials said the inclusion of Chitral in the flight network is aimed at improving air connectivity to far-flung areas where travel remains difficult due to challenging terrain and limited transport infrastructure.
Governor Kundi said improved air links would play a key role in promoting tourism and business activities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, describing the province as the “tourism hub of Pakistan.” He noted that many remote areas still lack proper aviation facilities but expressed hope that new routes would boost employment, tourism, and trade.
The governor also referred to ongoing rehabilitation work at Dera Ismail Khan International Airport, which has remained closed since 2015. He said runway carpeting has been completed and the remaining work would soon be finalized to restore operations.
He further mentioned plans for a proposed Green Field International Airport in DI Khan, which would be built over 1,700 acres and have the capacity to handle more than one million passengers annually.
Last week, South Air conducted its first trial flight from Karachi to Gwadar, marking the beginning of its efforts to expand air travel connectivity in coastal and remote regions.