Pakistan, Bangladesh resume direct flights after 14-year gap, boosting ties

By Staff Reporter

KARACHI: Direct flights between Pakistan and Bangladesh resumed after a 14-year suspension on Thursday, with Biman Bangladesh Airlines operating its inaugural service from Dhaka to Karachi, a move officials said would bolster connectivity, tourism and people-to-people ties between the two South Asian nations.

The fully packed flight departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka and arrived at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, according to a statement from Pakistan’s High Commission in Dhaka. Bangladesh’s Civil Aviation and Tourism Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin, along with Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider and other officials, saw off the flight at a ceremony in Dhaka.

“The resumption of direct flight after a hiatus of 14 years marks a significant milestone in strengthening connectivity and bilateral engagement,” the High Commission’s statement said. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Sheikh Bashiruddin highlighted the Dhaka-Karachi route’s role in “enhancing connectivity, promoting tourism and strengthening people-to-people links”. “Bangladesh Airlines will gradually increase flight frequency and reduce airfares to make travel more affordable for the people,” he was quoted as saying in the statement. Bashiruddin he hoped Bangladeshis would visit Pakistan to explore its natural beauty, cultural heritage and diverse cuisines.

Pakistan’s High Commissioner Haider, addressing the gathering, recalled the shared vision of Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for enhanced connectivity between the two countries. “In view of the vision of the leadership and aspirations of the people of our two countries, during the visit of the Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar to Dhaka in August last year, both sides agreed to take immediate measures for the resumption of direct flights,” Haider said.

He also thanked the Bangladeshi government, Biman Bangladesh Airlines and the Civil Aviation Authority for their efforts in making the launch possible. Passengers on the inaugural flight voiced happiness and enthusiasm about the restored direct air link, calling it a milestone in bringing the two countries closer, the statement added. The resumption comes after an announcement earlier this month that both nations would restart direct flight operations, ending a break that had lasted since 2012.