After a long hiatus of 14 years, Biman Bangladesh Airlines is set to resume direct flights on the Dhaka–Karachi route. The national flag carrier will officially begin operating non-stop flights from Thursday, January 29, marking the end of a suspension that began in 2012 due to security concerns.

Initially, the airline will operate two flights per week—on Thursdays and Saturdays. With the launch of direct services, passengers will no longer need to transit through Middle Eastern hubs, significantly reducing travel time and costs. Airfares are expected to drop by up to BDT 30,000 compared to previous indirect routes.

The direct flight will cover a distance of 1,471 miles using a 162-seat Boeing 737 aircraft, with an estimated flight duration of around three hours. Biman’s General Manager (Public Relations), Boseera Islam, said that all tickets for the inaugural flight have already been sold, while more than 80 percent of seats on the second flight have also been booked. She added that the introduction of non-stop flights will make travel faster, more comfortable, and free from transit-related hassles.

The resumption of direct air connectivity with Pakistan has generated strong interest and enthusiasm among passengers. Many believe the initiative will enhance people-to-people contact and create new opportunities in trade, business, and tourism between the two countries.

In addition to passenger services, the Dhaka–Karachi route also holds significant potential for cargo transportation, which is expected to boost bilateral trade. Overall, the move is seen as a positive step toward strengthening social, economic, and diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan.

It is worth noting that flights on the Dhaka–Karachi route were suspended in 2012 due to security issues. With the resumption of services, passengers will now be able to travel round-trip at fares starting from BDT 51,000, which is BDT 30,000 to BDT 70,000 cheaper than previous indirect travel options.