A Gilgit-Baltistan aircraft lease will put leased planes on the region’s routes under a joint venture with South Air, with the provincial government guaranteeing the aircraft.
The proposal came up at a meeting between Chief Minister Amjad Hussain and South Air management, which agreed to operate flights under the proposed arrangement. The chief minister said the aircraft would be leased against government guarantees, while South Air would run the flights.
“The arrangement is aimed at improving air connectivity for G-B,” the chief minister said. Flights between Islamabad and Gilgit are particularly vulnerable to weather disruption, and the short runway at Gilgit Airport limits aircraft operations. Passengers face frequent delays and cancellations, making air travel an uncertain option for residents and visitors alike.
A meeting that covered more than flights
The aviation plan emerged from a wider round of talks. A day earlier, the chief minister met Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi in Islamabad, where the two leaders agreed to open talks to settle the long-running boundary disputes between the two regions. The disputes cover Shandur Top, Babusar Top and land around the Diamer-Bhasha and Dassu dams.
The two leaders agreed to take up the boundary rows first through consultations between the chief secretaries of Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, before taking the matter to the political leadership. They also discussed air links to Gilgit-Baltistan during the same meeting.
Chief Minister Amjad also sought professional training opportunities in Peshawar for staff of the Gilgit-Baltistan Testing Service. Governor Kundi welcomed the proposal and directed his staff to make the necessary arrangements.
Why Gilgit flights keep failing
Gilgit Airport’s runway measures about 1,646 metres, and frequent weather disruption limits operations to smaller ATR aircraft. Between March and June 2026, the airport handled around 4,000 passengers, against more than 50,000 at Skardu Airport during the same period.
The problem is not new. In June 2024, erratic schedules, prolonged delays and frequent cancellations of Pakistan International Airlines flights disrupted travel during the peak tourism season. The then chief minister, Haji Gulbar Khan, sought federal intervention, warning that unreliable air services were hurting tourism, local businesses and government officials travelling to Islamabad.
The problem carried on in 2025, when PIA cancelled six flights to and from the northern areas, including five services connecting Islamabad and Gilgit and one Islamabad-Skardu flight. The cancellations left passengers stranded and struggling to make alternative travel arrangements.
A former chief minister has urged the federal government to build a modern, Boeing-compatible airport in Gilgit, arguing that better aviation infrastructure is essential to expanding tourism and year-round connectivity. Skardu Airport itself was closed for 13 days in October for runway work, a reminder that the region’s airports need sustained investment.
What the Gilgit-Baltistan aircraft lease could change
A leased fleet operated by a private carrier could give the region more reliable schedules than it has had under PIA alone. Government guarantees would lower the commercial risk for the operator, while a joint venture structure would keep the provincial government involved in planning routes and frequencies.
Air links matter beyond tourism. Direct flights between Peshawar and Lahore began this month, showing demand for better regional connectivity across the north. A new state lounge has also opened at Islamabad Airport as passenger facilities improve.
For Gilgit-Baltistan, reliable flights would help a tourism sector built around places such as Altit Fort, where visitors now face long road journeys when flights are cancelled. Traders, students and patients travelling to Islamabad for treatment would also gain from a service they can plan around.
No timeline has been announced for the first leased flights, and the terms of the joint venture are yet to be made public. The next step will be a formal agreement between the provincial government and South Air.
Frequently asked questions
What has Gilgit-Baltistan announced?
The provincial government plans to lease aircraft under a joint venture with South Air, with government guarantees for the leased planes, to improve air connectivity in the region.
Who will operate the flights?
South Air will operate the flights under the proposed arrangement, while the Gilgit-Baltistan government provides guarantees for the aircraft.
Why are flights to Gilgit so unreliable?
Flights between Islamabad and Gilgit face frequent weather disruption, and the airport’s runway of about 1,646 metres limits operations to smaller ATR aircraft.
How many passengers used Gilgit Airport recently?
Between March and June 2026, Gilgit Airport handled around 4,000 passengers, compared with more than 50,000 at Skardu Airport in the same period.
What else was discussed at the chief minister’s meetings?
Chief Minister Amjad Hussain also met Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, where the two leaders agreed to open talks on boundary disputes and discussed training for Gilgit-Baltistan Testing Service staff in Peshawar.
