Pakistan-Bangladesh direct flights resume after 14 years: All you need to know about flight schedule and operations

The flight was greeted with a traditional water salute upon arrival, marking the occasion with a high-level reception ceremony at the airport.

Published on: Jan 31, 2026, 11:38:15 IST

By Shivya Kanojia

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After a gap of 14 years, non-stop flights between Bangladesh and Pakistan have resumed. A Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight from Dhaka touched down at Jinnah International Airport in Pakistan's Karachi, signalling a new chapter in bilateral ties.

The restoration of air connectivity comes amid warming relations between the two countries. (Unsplash, image used for representational purpose )

"This is the first flight from Dhaka which landed at Jinnah International Airport after 14 years," the Pakistan Airport Authority (PAA) said in a statement.

The flight was greeted with a traditional water salute upon arrival on Thursday, marking the occasion with a high-level reception ceremony at the airport, news agency PTI reported.

Boost to Pakistan-Bangladesh relations

The restoration of air connectivity comes amid warming relations between the two countries. The PAA described the event as “a new chapter in Pakistan-Bangladesh friendship -- air connectivity restored after 14 years.”

This development follows growing diplomatic engagement between the two nations after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was removed from office following widespread student-led protests in Bangladesh on 5 August 2024.

Flight schedule and operations

Biman Bangladesh Airlines will operate flights between Dhaka and Karachi twice weekly, initially under a provisional licence valid until March 30. This trial period will determine whether longer-term permissions can be granted.

According to the airline, flights will depart Dhaka at 8:00 pm local time and arrive in Karachi at 11:00 pm on Thursdays and Saturdays. The return flight will leave Karachi at midnight and reach Dhaka at 4:20 am.

Discussions to resume direct flights have been ongoing since last year, aimed at enhancing trade and strengthening bilateral ties. Bangladesh separated from Pakistan in 1971, and relations have been occasionally strained over the decades.

Plans for the flight’s relaunch were first announced in August 2025 during the visit of Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to Dhaka. That visit was the first high-level engagement between the two countries in over a decade.

The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority has formally approved Biman Bangladesh Airlines to operate the route and to use designated air corridors within Pakistani airspace, officials confirmed.

(With inputs from PTI)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shivya Kanojia
Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgement and a clear understanding of what makes a story both important and traffic-driven. An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya brings a thoughtful balance of news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring stories resonate beyond the immediate headline. Over the course of her three-year journey in the digital news space, Shivya has worked across a wide range of beats, including politics, civic issues, human-interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to approach stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is breaking down complex developments or spotlighting everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human-interest stories, interviews and explainers that offer depth and clarity, aiming to move past surface-level reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a broad spectrum of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism . Outside the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafés, drawn to good coffee, cosy spaces and unhurried conversations. Shopping is another pastime she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of stumbling upon unexpected finds. Above all, she treasures time spent with loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that linger long after.Read More

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