Pakistan aviation route expansion

In mid‑July, private carrier South Air launched eight domestic flights, restoring service to Bahawalpur and Turbat and linking Karachi, Islamabad, Quetta and other cities with modern ATR aircraft. At the same time, Saudi Airlines opened an office in Peshawar, requesting direct flights to Saudi holy‑city airports and a consulate to accommodate rising pilgrimage and labor travel.

A week later, South Air’s chief executive announced plans to add a regular Islamabad‑Chitral route pending regulatory approval, though no further update had appeared by the end of July. In Gilgit‑Baltistan, officials proposed a direct Skardu‑Kashgar flight and a visa‑on‑arrival scheme for Chinese tourists, seeking federal endorsement to boost tourism and trade.

The snapshots together trace Pakistan’s ongoing effort to broaden air connectivity domestically and with neighboring countries, pairing new airline services with diplomatic outreach to attract pilgrims, workers, and tourists.