DIRECT DHAKA FLIGHT LANDS AT JINNAH TERMINAL, ENDING 12-YEAR GAP

KARACHI Nazrana Times
 

History touched down at Jinnah International Airport on Friday evening as Biman Bangladesh Airlines Flight BG-325 arrived from Dhaka, formally restoring a direct air link between Pakistan and Bangladesh after a rupture of nearly twelve years.
The aircraft, greeted with a traditional water cannon salute, marked the revival of commercial passenger flights on a route suspended since 2012. The service will operate twice weekly—every Friday and Sunday—connecting Pakistan’s economic heart with the capital of Bangladesh.

A Reunion of Hearts and Commerce

For families separated by geography and geopolitics, the arrival was emotional. Among the first to disembark was Mrs. Aliya Rahman, a Karachi native who had been visiting Dhaka. “The last time I came directly, it was 2011,” she told The Nazrana Times. “Since then, it has been long layovers in the Gulf. This feels like coming home the proper way. My family is whole again today.”
The business community also welcomed the development. Mr. Asif Merchant, President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce’s Trade Committee, stated, “This is a vital corridor for trade, especially in textiles, pharmaceuticals, and light engineering. Face-to-face meetings are irreplaceable. This flight removes a major logistical hurdle and signals a positive step for regional trade.”

Official Welcome and Future Prospects
Senior officials from the Civil Aviation Authority and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were present at a brief welcome ceremony. In a statement, a Foreign Office spokesperson highlighted the flight as part of “ongoing efforts to enhance people-to-people contacts and regional connectivity.”
Aviation sources indicate that the initial booking load for the incoming flights is strong, primarily driven by family visits and medical tourism. Karachi remains a premier destination in the region for specialized healthcare.
A Symbolic Bridge
The suspension of direct flights over a decade ago reflected a deep diplomatic chill. Analysts view their restoration as a cautious but clear indicator of a thaw, driven by pragmatic economic and social needs. “It’s a bridge in the sky,” commented international relations scholar Dr. Hina Khalid. “It doesn’t erase the past, but it builds a practical pathway for the future, starting with the most powerful connector—our people.”
Biman Bangladesh Airlines has deployed a Boeing 737-800 aircraft on the route. The return flight, BG-326, departed Karachi for Dhaka last night with a reported full passenger load.