A new private airline, South Air, has announced the launch of regular flights to Dera Ismail Khan and plans to start services to Chitral and other major cities, aiming to improve air connectivity, boost tourism and promote economic activity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Governor KP hails launch of south air flights to D.I. Khan, Chitral
ISLAMABAD, Jun 01 (APP):A new private airline, South Air, has announced the launch of regular flights to Dera Ismail Khan and plans to start services to Chitral and other major cities, aiming to improve air connectivity, boost tourism and promote economic activity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The announcement was made during a meeting between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and a South Air delegation led by the airline’s Chief Executive Kanwar Muhammad Tariq at the Governor House here on Monday. The delegation also included Chief Adviser Sohail Ali Khan and General Manager (Retd.) Major Tariq Mahmood.
During the meeting, both sides discussed the promotion of air connectivity in the province, the launch of new flight routes and opportunities for tourism and business development. Welcoming the proposed flights to Dera Ismail Khan and Chitral, Governor Kundi assured the airline of full cooperation and support.
He said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was one of Pakistan’s leading tourist destinations, but several important areas still lacked adequate air services.
The Governor said he had recently visited Dera Ismail Khan Airport and directed the relevant authorities to take necessary measures for making it fully operational.
He added that Chitral Airport was already fully functional, while other airports in the province would also be activated in phases.
Kundi said the introduction of new flights from Peshawar to Karachi, Lahore and Quetta would strengthen economic activity in the province and create fresh opportunities for employment, tourism and trade. He expressed confidence that South Air’s operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would prove successful.
Speaking on the occasion, Kanwar Muhammad Tariq said South Air had completed all operational, technical and administrative preparations and would begin flight operations across the country later this month.
He said the airline’s primary objective was to connect smaller and remote regions with the national air network.
He said Dera Ismail Khan would be an important destination for the airline and that the company planned to operate daily flights to the city.
He further announced that South Air would also launch regular services to Chitral, besides operating flights from Peshawar to Karachi, Lahore and Quetta.
Tariq said the establishment of new airlines encouraged competition, generated employment, promoted tourism and trade, and improved public convenience.
He added that enhanced regional air connectivity was not only a travel facility but also an effective instrument for national development, economic growth and the integration of remote areas into the national mainstream.
