KARACHI: Biman Bangladesh Airlines launched its first service from Dhaka to Karachi on Thursday, January 29, 2026, marking the return of direct flights between Pakistan and Bangladesh following a 14-year break. An important step toward improving connectivity and bilateral engagement between the two nations was taken when the plane took off from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka and landed at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi. Along with Imran Haider, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, and top representatives from Biman Bangladesh Airlines and the civil aviation authority, Sk Bashir Uddin, Bangladesh’s adviser for civil aviation and tourism, attended the departure ceremony.
In his remarks at the opening ceremony, Bangladesh’s Adviser for Civil Aviation and Tourism, Bashir Uddin, emphasized the significance of the Dhaka–Karachi route in boosting connectivity, encouraging travel, and fortifying interpersonal ties. He stated that in order to make travel more accessible for the general public, Biman Bangladesh Airlines would progressively increase flight frequency and lower costs. He expressed the hope that Bangladeshis will travel to Pakistan to experience its varied cuisines, natural beauty, and cultural legacy. Speaking at the event, Imran Haider, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, stated that the resumption of flights represented a common goal of both nations’ leaders to increase regional connectivity. He pointed out that the decision came after talks in August of last year when Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister, visited Dhaka. He noted that its operationalization today will be crucial to improving youth, intellectual, cultural, business, people-to-people, and familial exchanges. The High Commissioner thanked the Civil Aviation Authority, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, and the Government of Bangladesh for enabling the flight’s start. The restoration of the direct air link was greeted with joy and excitement by passengers on the first trip, who described it as a significant step toward strengthening ties between the two nations.
