After more than a decade of waiting, direct air connectivity between Bangladesh and Pakistan is set to resume from Thursday (29 January). Biman Bangladesh Airlines is officially launching direct flights on the Dhaka–Karachi route.
According to the published schedule, nonstop flights will operate on this route every Thursday and Saturday. All 162 seats on the first flight have already been sold, reflecting strong passenger demand for the route. After being suspended in 2012 due to security concerns, the national flag carrier is once again spreading its wings on this route after a long 14-year hiatus.
As per Biman’s schedule, the flight will depart Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 8:00 pm (Bangladesh time) today and arrive in Karachi at 11:00 pm local time. The return flight will leave Karachi at 12:00 midnight and reach Dhaka at 4:20 am the following morning.
A 162-seat Boeing 737 aircraft is being used for this service. Biman’s General Manager of Public Relations, Bosra Islam, stated that not only the first flight but more than 80 percent of the seats on the second flight have already been sold. With direct connectivity, passengers will now be able to reach their destination in just three hours.
The launch of this direct flight will significantly reduce both travel time and costs for passengers. Previously, travelers had to transit through various Middle Eastern countries, which required extra time and much higher expenses.
Passengers can now travel on a round trip for a minimum fare of 51,000 taka, which is 30,000 to 70,000 taka cheaper than before. According to Kazi Wahidul Alam, Editor of The Bangladesh Monitor, the launch of this route will not only facilitate passenger travel but also open new avenues for trade, commerce, and economic relations between the two countries through cargo transportation.
Biman officials believe that this hassle-free, affordable direct travel option will increase people-to-people contact between the two nations and create new opportunities in the tourism sector. Alongside strengthening social and political ties, stakeholders are hopeful that the route will achieve commercial success.
With security and operational matters properly addressed, this air route—starting today—is expected to serve as a long-term bridge strengthening relations between the two countries.