After years apart, Bangladesh–Pakistan skies reopen, cautiously hopeful.
The Biman Airlines flight touched down in Karachi, greeted by a water salute that quietly marked a long-awaited return.
A flight from Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka touched down in Karachi on Thursday evening, quietly but symbolically restoring direct air connectivity between Bangladesh and Pakistan after a 14-year gap. As the Biman Bangladesh Airlines aircraft rolled onto the tarmac at Jinnah International Airport, it was welcomed with a traditional water salute — a gesture that marked more than just an arrival, but the reopening of a long-closed chapter.
According to the Pakistan Airport Authority (PAA), the Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG-341 is the first non-stop flight from Dhaka to land in Karachi since 2010. “This is the first flight from Dhaka which landed at Jinnah International Airport after 14 years,” the authority said in an official statement, calling the moment a milestone for regional connectivity.
Airport officials described the scene as warm and ceremonial rather than grand, but rich in symbolism. The PAA said the landing represented “a new chapter in Pakistan-Bangladesh friendship,” noting that the resumption of flights was marked by a high-level reception ceremony at Karachi airport. For many observers, the water salute reflected a cautious optimism between two countries whose relationship has long been shaped by history, politics, and unresolved memories.
The timing of the flight is significant. It comes amid a noticeable thaw in ties between Dhaka and Islamabad following dramatic political changes in Bangladesh. Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted on August 5, 2024, after massive student-led protests swept the country. Since then, diplomatic engagement between Bangladesh and Pakistan has increased, with both sides signaling interest in rebuilding economic and people-to-people links.
Under the current arrangement, Biman Bangladesh Airlines will operate flights between Dhaka and Karachi twice a week — on Thursdays and Saturdays. According to airline officials, the Dhaka-Karachi flight will depart at 8:00 pm local time and arrive in Karachi at 11:00 pm. The return flight will leave Karachi at midnight and land in Dhaka at 4:20 am.
Sources said the airline has been granted permission to operate the route until March 30 on a trial basis. This “test period” will allow authorities on both sides to assess passenger demand, operational feasibility, and commercial viability before granting long-term approval.
In a statement released earlier in Dhaka, Biman said the new route aims to serve business travelers, families with cross-border ties, and those seeking more direct travel options. Until now, passengers between Bangladesh and Pakistan have typically relied on indirect flights through third countries, adding time, cost, and inconvenience.
Officials in both governments have been discussing the resumption of direct flights since last year, viewing aviation links as a practical step toward improving trade, tourism, and broader cooperation. Direct air connectivity is seen as especially important for boosting commercial ties, as business delegations and cargo operators benefit from shorter travel times and lower logistical barriers.
The roots of the long suspension run deep. Bangladesh gained independence from Pakistan in 1971 after a bloody war, and relations have remained uneven for decades. While diplomatic ties were formally established long ago, political differences, historical grievances, and domestic pressures in both countries often limited engagement. Direct flights were suspended in 2010, reflecting the chill in relations at the time.
Plans to restart the route were first publicly announced in August last year during the visit of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to Dhaka. The trip itself was notable, as it marked the first high-level visit from Pakistan to Bangladesh in over a decade. During that visit, both sides spoke of turning the page and exploring practical areas of cooperation, including aviation.
The relaunch has now been cleared by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority, which approved Biman’s operations on the Dhaka-Karachi route and granted access to designated air corridors within Pakistani airspace. Officials emphasized that safety, regulatory compliance, and coordination between aviation authorities were key factors in finalizing the decision.
For ordinary travelers, the flight represents something simple but meaningful: a shorter journey and a reopened connection. For diplomats and policymakers, it is a small but telling sign that relations may be entering a more pragmatic phase. While history cannot be undone, the sight of a Bangladeshi aircraft being saluted on a Karachi runway suggests a willingness, on both sides, to move forward — carefully, and one flight at a time.