Biman Bangladesh Airlines will launch direct flights on the Dhaka–Karachi–Dhaka route from January 29, restoring direct air connectivity between Bangladesh and Pakistan after more than a decade.

The national flag carrier will initially operate two weekly flights on Thursdays and Saturdays, said a Biman press release yesterday.

According to the proposed schedule, flights will depart Dhaka at 8:00 pm local time and arrive in Karachi at 11:00 pm, while return flights will leave Karachi at 12:00 am and reach Dhaka at 4:20 am local time.

Currently, passengers travelling between the two countries largely depend on connecting flights through hubs such as Dubai or Doha.

The resumption of direct services is expected to ease travel, strengthen people-to-people contacts, and facilitate trade, tourism, and family travel, said the release.

Biman officials said discussions with Pakistani authorities had been ongoing for several months to restart the route, which will mark the first direct Dhaka–Karachi flights since 2012.

The move comes amid improving bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan, supported by recent diplomatic engagements and cooperation initiatives.

Aviation experts described the route as both commercially and strategically significant, noting that direct air links plays a vital role in enhancing economic ties and mutual engagement.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines reiterated its commitment to ensuring the highest standards of safety and service quality, adding that the flights will be operated by modern aircraft and experienced crew.