Pakistan and Bangladesh are set to resume direct air connectivity after more than a decade, marking a significant development in bilateral relations as regional dynamics continue to evolve. Bangladesh’s national carrier, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, announced on Thursday that it will relaunch direct flights between Karachi and Dhaka later this month.
According to the airline, the first Karachi–Dhaka flight is scheduled to operate on January 29, 2026, with services running twice a week. These will be the first regular direct flights between the two countries since 2012, ending years of reliance on indirect routes.
“We are relaunching the Karachi–Dhaka route with two weekly flights,” Bosra Islam, an official at Biman Bangladesh Airlines, told AFP. The airline said the move aims to strengthen people-to-people contact and support growing economic and cultural exchanges between the two countries.
In a statement, Biman noted that the resumption of direct flights would “significantly improve connectivity between Pakistan and Bangladesh, supporting business travel, tourism, and family reunions.” Currently, travelers between the two countries must transit through Gulf hubs such as Dubai or Doha, increasing travel time and costs.
Pakistan and Bangladesh share deep historical ties, having been part of a single country until their separation following the 1971 war. Since then, relations have experienced periods of strain and limited engagement, particularly in transport and trade connectivity. The restart of direct flights is being seen as a symbolic and practical step toward rebuilding links.
The development comes amid shifting political and regional dynamics. Bangladesh has experienced significant political change since August 2024, when a student-led movement led to the removal of long-time leader Sheikh Hasina. Following her ouster, Dhaka’s relations with India cooled, while engagement with Pakistan has shown signs of improvement.
Economic links have also been picking up. Cargo shipping between Karachi and Bangladesh’s main port of Chittagong resumed in November 2024, helping revive bilateral trade flows. Since then, trade volumes have increased, and cooperation in services has expanded.
Cultural and social exchanges have also gained momentum. Pakistani artists, including popular singers, have recently performed in Dhaka, while an increasing number of Bangladeshi patients have been traveling to Pakistan to access medical treatment.
The resumption of direct flights is expected to further accelerate these trends, reducing barriers to movement and fostering closer ties. Analysts say improved air connectivity could serve as a catalyst for deeper trade, tourism, and diplomatic engagement between the two South Asian nations in the coming years.
Follow the PakBanker Whatsapp Channel for updates across Pakistan’s banking ecosystem.