Bangladesh and Pakistan are set to restart direct air travel after a gap of more than ten years, as improved relations between the two countries lead to renewed connectivity.
Dhaka’s national carrier, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, announced on Thursday that it will launch direct flights between Dhaka and Karachi from January 29. The service will operate twice a week and will mark the first regular flights on this route since 2012.
“We are relaunching the Dhaka–Karachi route with two weekly flights,” said airline manager Bosra Islam while speaking to AFP.
Bangladesh and Pakistan, now separated by over 1,500 kilometres, were once part of the same country before separating following the 1971 war.
In a statement, Biman Bangladesh Airlines said the restoration of direct flights would greatly enhance travel links between the two nations and help facilitate business activities, tourism, and family visits.
At present, passengers travelling between the two countries have to rely on connecting flights through Gulf cities such as Dubai and Doha.
Diplomatic ties between Bangladesh and India have cooled following the removal of Sheikh Hasina, while relations with Pakistan have shown improvement. This shift has also led to growing trade and cultural exchanges.
Cargo shipping between Karachi and Bangladesh’s main port of Chittagong resumed in November 2024. Since then, trade volumes have increased and cultural interaction has expanded, including performances by Pakistani artists in Dhaka and medical travel by Bangladeshi patients to Pakistan.
According to reports, Pakistan has already approved Biman Bangladesh Airlines to operate the route. Sources in Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that permission has been issued, and the Director General of the CAA has authorised the start of direct operations.
Initially, the airline has been allowed to run the service for three months, with permission valid until March 30, 2026.