After a 14-year hiatus, direct air travel between Bangladesh and Pakistan is set to resume this Thursday. Biman Bangladesh Airlines will operate the first flight from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka to Karachi at 8:00 PM on 29 January.
Biman’s General Manager (Public Relations), Bosra Islam, confirmed that the inaugural flight will be operated using a Boeing 737 aircraft with 162 seats, all of which have already been sold. The flight is scheduled to arrive safely in Karachi at 11:00 PM local time.
Direct flights between Dhaka and Karachi were once regular but were suspended in 2012. Following political developments in August 2024, the caretaker government initiated efforts to reinstate this important route. After consultations between the governments of Bangladesh and Pakistan, Biman Bangladesh Airlines finalised plans to relaunch the service, with ticket sales opening on 7 January.
Initially, the Dhaka–Karachi–Dhaka route will operate twice weekly, on Thursdays and Saturdays. Departure from Dhaka is scheduled for 8:00 PM local time, with arrival in Karachi at 11:00 PM. The return flight departs Karachi at midnight and reaches Dhaka at 4:20 AM local time.
Biman officials highlighted that the resumption of this route will greatly facilitate passenger travel, while also opening new opportunities for business, tourism, and family visits. The route is expected to play a key role in enhancing trade links, fostering tourism exchanges, and strengthening people-to-people connections between the two countries.
The table below summarises the key flight details:
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Airline | Biman Bangladesh Airlines |
| Aircraft Type | Passenger Boeing 737 |
| Seating Capacity | 162 |
| Departure from Dhaka | 8:00 PM (local time) |
| Arrival in Karachi | 11:00 PM (local time) |
| Departure from Karachi | 12:00 AM (local time) |
| Arrival in Dhaka | 4:20 AM (local time) |
| Operating Days | Thursday & Saturday |
| Primary Purpose | Business, tourism, family travel |
The relaunch of the Dhaka–Karachi air link is expected to usher in a new era of connectivity, offering greater convenience for travellers and creating fresh opportunities for economic and cultural exchange. Officials emphasise that the route will be particularly beneficial for business expansions and tourism growth, further strengthening bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan.