Bangladesh set to resume direct air links with Pakistan
Approval allows Bangladeshi airlines to operate Dhaka–Karachi flights, reopening long-suspended passenger routes between two South Asian nations
DHAKA, Bangladesh (MNTV) — Bangladesh is set to restore direct passenger air links with Pakistan after its national carrier received formal clearance from Pakistan’s aviation authorities to resume non-stop services to Karachi, ending years of dependence on indirect routes.
Bangladesh’s flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines has been granted approval by the Civil Aviation Authority to operate direct passenger flights between Dhaka and Karachi, officials familiar with the decision said.
The approval, issued following clearance from the Pakistani government, will remain valid until March 30, 2026, after which the arrangement will be reviewed based on operational, regulatory, and security considerations.
In addition to landing rights, Bangladeshi airlines have been authorized by Pakistan’s aviation regulator to use designated Pakistani airspace routes, a move aviation planners say will improve flight efficiency and reduce operational constraints for services operating to and beyond South Asia.
As part of the clearance, Biman has also been allocated a dedicated operational slot at Karachi’s main international airport, enabling the airline to plan regular passenger operations. Under standard aviation protocols, the carrier will be required to share full flight schedules and passenger information with Karachi airport authorities prior to departure from Dhaka.
Aviation officials in Bangladesh say the resumption of direct flights is expected to significantly ease travel for families, business travellers, and diaspora communities, many of whom have relied on time-consuming transits through third countries for years.
Beyond passenger movement, analysts note that restored air connectivity could support trade, tourism, and broader economic interaction, areas that have remained limited in the absence of direct aviation links.
Direct passenger flights between Bangladesh and Pakistan had been suspended for several years, despite persistent demand. The latest clearance marks a practical step toward normalizing civil aviation connectivity, even as broader bilateral relations continue to evolve.
Officials said passenger response to the Dhaka–Karachi route will help determine whether flight frequencies are expanded or additional destinations are considered in the future.
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