Islamabad, Feb 4: Pakistan and Bangladesh are set to resume direct flights between Karachi and Dhaka after nearly a decade, as Bangladesh’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAB) has approved Fly Jinnah, a private Pakistani airline, to begin operations on this route. This development follows a recent agreement between the two countries to enhance air connectivity.
CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Monjur Kabir Bhuiyan confirmed the approval, stating that Fly Jinnah had applied and been granted permission. The airline must now appoint a local General Sales Agent (GSA) in Bangladesh, after which it will receive slot allocations and flight frequencies.
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Previously, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) operated direct flights between Karachi and Dhaka until February 2015. The decision to resume flights reflects improving bilateral relations between the two nations. Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Iqbal Hussain, confirmed that operations would commence soon after Fly Jinnah’s agreement on January 30.
Relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh have strengthened in recent months, particularly after the departure of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. In December 2024, Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, further cementing diplomatic ties.
