ISLAMABAD: Biman Bangladesh Airlines is set to resume flights between Dhaka and Karachi on January 29, marking the first regular air service between the two countries after nearly one and a half decades.
According to Biman spokesperson Bosra Islam, the first direct flight will depart Dhaka at 8:00 pm on Thursday. She said the launch of the nonstop service will significantly cut travel time.
Initially, Biman Bangladesh Airlines will operate two weekly flights on the route. The service will run every Thursday and Saturday using a 162-seat Boeing 737 aircraft to cover the 1,471-mile distance between Dhaka and Karachi.
According to Bangladeshi media reports, all tickets for the inaugural flight have been sold out, while more than 80 percent of seats on the second flight have already been booked.
Bosra Islam added that passengers will be able to reach their destination in just three hours, enjoying a more comfortable journey without the inconvenience of transit stops.
Diplomatic ties between the two nations have strengthened in recent months. Last month, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Imran Haider, expressed hope that direct flights would begin in January during a meeting with Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus.
Relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh had been strained during the rule of the ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
However, following her exile after a popular revolt, ties have improved markedly. National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq traveled to Dhaka for the funeral of Bangladesh’s first female prime minister, Khaleda Zia, in December.
In August 2025, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also visited Dhaka and met Yunus.
The revival of the Dhaka-Karachi flight is seen as a step toward enhanced people-to-people contact, trade, and stronger bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan.
It is pertinent to mention that Biman Bangladesh Airlines is the national flag carrier of Bangladesh, operating both domestic and international flights.
The airline was founded in 1972 and has since become a key player in connecting Bangladesh to the world.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines operates a modern fleet, including Boeing and Bombardier aircraft, to serve passengers efficiently.
