Dhaka: In a significant step towards mending bilateral relations, Bangladesh is set to resume direct flights with Pakistan after more than a decade, with Biman Bangladesh Airlines launching non-stop services between Dhaka and Karachi from January 29.
The national carrier will operate twice weekly — on Thursdays and Saturdays — with flights departing Dhaka at 8 pm and arriving in Karachi at 11 pm local time. Return legs will leave Karachi at midnight, landing in Dhaka by 4:20 am. This marks the restoration of direct connectivity last seen in 2012.
The move follows months of discussions between aviation authorities of both nations, culminating in Pakistan granting Biman permission to use its airspace. Announced during Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar’s landmark visit to Dhaka in August 2025 — the first by a Pakistani foreign minister in 13 years — it aligns with efforts to enhance trade, diplomacy, and people-to-people contacts post the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s government.
While the route traverses Indian airspace, raising questions on overflight clearances, officials remain optimistic about smoother ties. This development signals a shift in Bangladesh’s foreign policy under the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus, potentially reshaping regional dynamics in South Asia.
As skies reopen, travellers and businesses anticipate easier access, fostering renewed economic and cultural exchanges between the two nations.