ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): In a major development, Bangladesh’s national flag carrier, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, has announced resuming direct flights between Karachi and Dhaka from January 29, ending a 14-year halt in air connectivity between the two countries.
In a statement, the airline said that it will operate direct flights twice a week.
The service will depart from Dhaka at 8:00 PM local time on Thursdays and Saturdays, arriving in Karachi at 11:00 PM. The return flight will depart from Karachi at 12:01 AM and reach Dhaka at 4:20 AM on Fridays and Sundays.
Biman officials said that they had been in talks with Pakistan for several months to restart the Dhaka-Karachi route, which was suspended in 2012. Currently, travellers between the two countries rely on connecting flights via Dubai or Doha.
Earlier, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) approved the Bangladeshi national airline to operate after receiving clearance from the federal government.
The CAA officials said that Biman Airlines has initially been allowed to operate flights until March 30, 2026. The airline has also been granted permission to use Pakistan’s airspace on approved routes.
The decision follows improved relations between the two countries following the ousting of Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh back in 2024.
The restoration of the flight service is seen as a significant step to improve mobility for business, tourism, and families, further promoting people-to-people interactions between the two countries.
