Dhaka/Karachi: Direct air connectivity between Pakistan and Bangladesh resumed after a 14-year gap as Biman Bangladesh Airlines operated its inaugural Dhaka–Karachi flight, marking a significant step in restoring bilateral travel links.
According to a statement issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority, the Bangladeshi national carrier landed at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport on Thursday night, where it was welcomed with a traditional water cannon salute. Flight tracking data showed that Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG341 departed Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 8.15 pm and arrived in Karachi at 11.03 pm.
Speaking to reporters at the airport, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori said cooperation between Pakistan and Bangladesh would go beyond aviation and extend to other sectors as well.
Earlier, Pakistan’s High Commission in Dhaka said the inaugural flight departed with full occupancy. The flight was seen off by Bangladesh’s Civil Aviation and Tourism Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin, Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider, and other senior officials.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Bangladesh’s adviser for civil aviation and tourism said the Dhaka–Karachi route was aimed at enhancing connectivity, boosting tourism, and strengthening people-to-people ties. He added that Biman Bangladesh Airlines would gradually increase flight frequency and work towards reducing airfares to make travel more affordable.
During the event, Pakistan’s high commissioner referred to earlier discussions between Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on restoring air links. He noted that during Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar’s visit to Dhaka in August last year, both sides agreed to take immediate steps to resume direct flights in line with the leadership’s vision and public aspirations.
Earlier this month, Pakistan and Bangladesh had officially announced plans to restart direct flight operations, ending a suspension that had been in place for over a decade.
