Bangladesh and Pakistan resume direct flights after a 14-year pause

Direct flight services between Bangladesh and Pakistan have officially resumed, ending a fourteen-year suspension. On Thursday, the first flight operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines landed at Karachi's Jinnah International Airport, where it was greeted with a traditional water salute, symbolizing a fresh start in connectivity between the two Muslim-majority countries.

Operational Details and High-Level Welcome

Flight BG-341 departed Dhaka for Karachi, covering the 1,471-mile route in approximately three hours with a Boeing 737 aircraft. The inaugural ceremony in Dhaka was attended by senior officials, including Pakistan's High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Imran Haider. Under the initial winter schedule, non-stop flights will operate twice weekly, every Thursday and Saturday. Airline officials reported strong demand, with the inaugural flight sold out and high bookings for subsequent trips.

Historical Context and Thaw in Relations

Direct flights were originally halted in 2012 by the previous Bangladeshi government, led by Sheikh Hasina, citing security concerns. The resumption follows a period of improved diplomatic relations after the political changes in Bangladesh in August 2024. High-level visits, including one by Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, paved the way for renewed cooperation. Recent goodwill gestures include Bangladesh lifting visa requirements for Pakistani officials and Pakistan offering hundreds of scholarships to Bangladeshi students.

Economic and Strategic Implications

The restoration of direct air links is expected to significantly boost trade, tourism, and people-to-people contacts by eliminating the need for costly and time-consuming transit through Middle Eastern hubs. This development is seen as a practical step toward deeper regional integration in South Asia. For nations like Türkiye, which values stability and enhanced cooperation among Muslim countries, such bilateral progress contributes positively to broader regional economic and diplomatic landscapes.