KARACHI – Islamabad–Karachi route, Pakistan’s busiest domestic air corridors, connecting country’s political capital with its financial and commercial hub, got another service as South Air prepares to launch its first scheduled commercial flight between Karachi and Islamabad on July 16, 2026, offering one-way fares starting at Rs14,218.
The route between two sides serves thousands of business travelers, government officials, tourists, students, and families each week, making it a key route for domestic airlines. The airline has officially opened bookings for its maiden service, and the response has been swift. Seats in the Economy Premium category have already sold out ahead of the inaugural flight, signaling strong passenger interest in the carrier’s entry into one of the country’s busiest air corridors.
South Air’s first flight is scheduled to depart Karachi at 7:30 a.m. and arrive in Islamabad at 11:40 a.m. However, unlike the nonstop jet services currently operating on the route, the flight will make a scheduled stop in Bahawalpur, taking the total journey time to 4 hours and 10 minutes.
The airline will initially operate its domestic network using ATR 72 turboprop aircraft, a model commonly deployed on regional routes due to its fuel efficiency and lower operating costs.
To attract passengers, South Air has introduced three economy fare options. The Economy Basic ticket is priced at Rs14,218 and does not include checked baggage. Travelers choosing the Economy Value fare will pay Rs15,792, which includes a 20-kilogram checked baggage allowance. Meanwhile, the Economy Premium cabin has already been fully booked for the inaugural flight.
Although passengers will spend more time in the air because of the stopover in Bahawalpur, South Air believes its strategy will strengthen domestic connectivity by linking major cities with destinations that currently have limited scheduled flight services.
Currently, other carriers including PIA, Airblue, AirSial, Fly Jinnah, and Serene Air operate multiple daily nonstop flights, with one-way fares generally ranging between Rs20,000 and Rs25,000, depending on date and time. The introduction of a new service with fares starting from Rs14,000 is expected to intensify competition, offering passengers a more affordable travel option.
Although the new flight operates via Bahawalpur and takes longer than direct services, its lower fares could appeal to price-conscious travelers while encouraging greater competition in Pakistan’s domestic aviation market.
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