Direct flights between Dhaka & Karachi after 14 years

Dhaka / Karachi, Jan 30: After a gap of 14 years, non-stop flights between Dhaka, Bangladesh and Karachi, Pakistan have resumed, marking a notable revival of air connectivity between the two South Asian nations. The inaugural direct service operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines touched down in Karachi on Thursday, January 29, 2026, ending one of the longest-suspended bilateral flight links in the region.

The relaunch comes amid improving diplomatic engagement and increasing interest in strengthening people-to-people ties, trade and tourism between Bangladesh and Pakistan.

The direct service — the first since regular flights were halted in 2012 — will initially operate twice a week, with outbound flights from Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Thursdays and Saturdays. The standard flight time is about three hours, significantly cutting down travel time compared with previous journeys that required one or more stops via Middle Eastern hubs.

Outbound flight: Departs Dhaka at around 8:00 p.m. local time, arrives in Karachi at about 11:00 p.m.

Return flight: Leaves Karachi at midnight and lands back in Dhaka around 4:20 a.m. the following day.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines will operate the route on a trial basis through March 30, 2026, after which authorities will assess performance and consider future expansion.

The resumption of direct flights is being viewed as a symbolic step toward closer bilateral ties. Since the suspension in 2012, passengers have had limited options for direct air travel between the two countries, relying instead on connections that increased both travel time and expense.

Airline and aviation officials say the restored link is expected to enhance not only business travel but also tourism and family visits, expanding opportunities for economic and cultural exchange.

Future Prospects

While the initial focus is on assessing demand and operational viability during the trial period, aviation experts believe that sustained direct air links could pave the way for deeper engagement between Pakistan and Bangladesh, with potential future routes and increased flight frequencies being evaluated in coming months.