by Muhammad Hasan Pallab

After more than a decade of costly detours and prolonged transit journeys, passengers travelling between Bangladesh and Pakistan are set to gain substantial financial and time relief as Biman Bangladesh Airlines prepares to relaunch direct flights on the Dhaka–Karachi route from January 29.

Biman has fixed the minimum one-way fare at Tk 30,899, while a round-trip ticket will start at Tk 56,903, airline sources said, representing savings of at least Tk 30,000 compared to current transit fares.

At present, according to several travel agencies, economy-class return tickets on indirect routes via Middle Eastern hubs cost between Tk 88,000 and Tk 120,000, driven largely by limited seat availability and reliance on foreign carriers. 

Direct Route Breaks Transit Fare Trap

The absence of a direct air link has long forced passengers to travel via Dubai, Doha or Sharjah, significantly increasing journey times and expenses. While a nonstop flight between Dhaka and Karachi should take 4 to 4.5 hours, passengers currently endure average travel times of 8.5 to 13 hours, and in some cases more than 20 hours, depending on connection schedules.

Travel agents believed that the launch of Biman’s nonstop service and the potential entry of other airlines will help rein in fares by introducing competition into a market that has operated under an effective monopoly.

Trial Operation Before Long-Term Commitment

Sources at Biman said the revived Dhaka–Karachi service will initially be operated as a “strategic observation”, with flights running on a trial basis from January 29 to March 30.

The two-month period is being treated as a test phase, during which passenger demand, load factors and commercial performance will be closely evaluated. A final decision on whether to make the route permanent and whether to increase frequency will depend on the results of this assessment.

Biman last operated flights on the route in 2012, suspending services after years of losses and low passenger numbers. Airline officials say the cautious relaunch reflects lessons learned from that experience.

Schedule Designed for Convenience

Under the published schedule, flights will initially operate twice a week, on Thursdays and Saturdays.

Departures from Dhaka at 8:00pm (local time) will arrive in Karachi at 11:00pm, while return flights will leave Karachi at 12:00am and land in Dhaka at 4:20am the following day.

Biman General Manager (Public Relations) Bosra Islam said that the timings were set to meet modern travel needs, enabling passengers to reach their destination in just over three hours without transit disruptions.

She said the direct connection would not only ease travel for ordinary passengers but also open new opportunities for tourism and business travel, contributing to Biman’s long-term commercial growth.

Diplomatic Thaw Enables Route Revival

Behind the relaunch lies months of diplomatic and technical engagement between aviation authorities in Bangladesh and Pakistan. As a result, both sides have granted formal approval for airspace use, clearing the regulatory path for resumption of direct flights.

The route’s history reflects a blend of commercial and diplomatic tension. While Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) continued operating flights to Dhaka for several years after Biman’s withdrawal, bilateral relations deteriorated sharply around 2015–16.

During that period, several PIA officials were accused of misconduct and sent back from Bangladesh. PIA subsequently reduced services and ultimately ceased all Dhaka operations in 2019 amid legal and commercial complications.

Trade and Business Upside

Diplomatic and trade analysts viewed the return of the Dhaka–Karachi route as more than a passenger service, describing it as a positive signal for bilateral economic engagement in South Asia.

Business communities in both countries have welcomed the move, particularly exporters and importers who rely on rapid sample exchange and face-to-face negotiations.

Karachi remains a key hub for sourcing raw materials and yarn for Bangladesh’s ready-made garment (RMG) industry. Direct flights are expected to significantly shorten supply-chain timelines and reduce logistics costs.

The route is also expected to support leather exports, agricultural trade and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that have long avoided direct engagement due to high fares and excessive travel times.

Family visits, religious tourism and medical travel are also expected to rise, benefiting Bangladeshi expatriates and families with ties across Pakistan who have endured years of difficult journeys.