Biman Resumes Direct Dhaka–Karachi Flights After 14 Years
Biman Bangladesh Airlines has resumed direct flights on the Dhaka–Karachi–Dhaka route after a gap of 14 years. The inaugural flight, BG-341, departed Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 8:00 PM on January 29, marking the revival of direct air connectivity between Bangladesh and Pakistan.
An inauguration ceremony was held at the airport to mark the occasion. Sheikh Bashir Uddin, Honorable Adviser to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, attended the event as the chief guest. Also present were His Excellency Imran Haider, High Commissioner of Pakistan to Bangladesh, Air Vice Marshal Md. Mostafa Mahmud Siddiq, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, and Dr. Md. Shafiqur Rahman, Managing Director and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines. Senior officials from the Ministry, Biman, Civil Aviation, and other organizations were also in attendance. A total of 150 passengers traveled on the inaugural flight.
Under the winter schedule, Biman will operate two weekly flights on the route every Thursday and Saturday from January 29. Flights will depart Dhaka at 8:00 PM local time and arrive in Karachi at 11:00 PM. Return flights will depart Karachi at 12:01 AM and arrive in Dhaka at 4:20 AM the same day.
The resumption of the Dhaka–Karachi route is expected to strengthen direct connectivity between Bangladesh and Pakistan and contribute significantly to the expansion of trade and commerce, educational exchanges, and cultural cooperation. The last direct flight on this route was operated in 2012, and its revival reflects growing diplomatic and bilateral engagement between the two countries.
Previously, most passengers traveling between Bangladesh and Pakistan had to rely on transit flights through Middle Eastern hubs such as Dubai or Doha, resulting in longer travel times and higher costs. The newly launched direct service is expected to reduce travel time and expenses, enabling passengers to save at least Tk 30,000 on average.
Biman will operate the route using a 162-seat Boeing 737 aircraft on the 1,471-mile journey, which is expected to take approximately three hours. Passengers welcomed the resumption of direct flights, expressing optimism that the service will enhance people-to-people contact and create new opportunities in business, trade, and tourism.