The Gilgit-Baltistan government plans to lease aircraft through a joint venture with South Air, seeking better air connectivity for the region. The government announced the proposal on Monday, November 9, amid persistent complaints about unreliable flights.
Under the proposed arrangement, the government would provide guarantees for the leased aircraft. South Air would operate the flights through the joint venture.
Chief Minister Amjad Hussain discussed the proposal with South Air management, which agreed to operate the services.
“The arrangement is aimed at improving air connectivity for G-B,” CM Amjad said. He added that the government would guarantee the aircraft leases, while South Air would handle flight operations.
The announcement did not specify aircraft numbers, lease costs, flight schedules or a launch date.
Government discusses air links and boundary disputes
The proposal also featured in discussions between Amjad and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi. Their meeting covered regional cooperation, longstanding boundary disputes and professional training.
Both leaders agreed that their chief secretaries would first discuss the disputed boundaries before referring the issues to the political leadership. They committed to pursuing a settlement through mutual understanding and amicable negotiations.
Amjad also requested professional training opportunities in Peshawar for Gilgit-Baltistan Testing Service staff. Kundi welcomed the request and directed his staff to arrange the training.
Separately, South Air launched its Peshawar-Lahore service on November 9. At the inauguration, Kundi announced plans for future services to Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan, adding context to the proposed partnership.
Repeated cancellations disrupt Gilgit travel
Weather frequently disrupts Islamabad-Gilgit flights, while Gilgit Airport’s short runway restricts aircraft operations. Residents and visitors regularly face delays, cancellations and uncertainty over travel arrangements.
In June 2024, erratic PIA schedules and prolonged delays disrupted the peak tourism season. Then chief minister Haji Gulbar Khan sought federal intervention over the repeated cancellations. He warned that unreliable services were hurting tourism, local businesses and government officials travelling to Islamabad.
Disruptions continued in 2025, when PIA cancelled six northern-area flights. These included five services between Islamabad and Gilgit and one Islamabad-Skardu flight. The cancellations stranded passengers and forced them to seek alternative transport.
Short runway strengthens case for new airport
A July 2026 report highlighted Gilgit Airport’s approximately 1,646-metre runway, limited capacity and frequent weather disruptions. These constraints restrict operations to smaller ATR aircraft.
Between March and June 2026, Gilgit Airport handled around 4,000 passengers. Skardu Airport, by comparison, handled more than 50,000 during the same period.
In July, Amjad Hussain Azar urged the federal government to build a modern, Boeing-compatible airport in Gilgit. He argued that larger aircraft access would support tourism and improve year-round connectivity.
The regional government also offered land and cooperation under a public-private partnership model. In September, the defence ministry told a Senate committee that a feasibility study for a new Gilgit airport was nearing completion. The proposed greenfield project covered approximately 1,800 acres.
