Staff Reporter:
Biman Bangladesh Airlines has launched direct flights on the Dhaka-Karachi-Dhaka route after a hiatus of 14 years, with the inaugural flight departing for the Pakistani city on Thursday night.
The first flight, BG341, departed Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) at 8pm.
Marking the occasion, an inauguration ceremony was held at HSIA, where Civil Aviation and Tourism Adviser and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Sheikh Bashir Uddin, was present as the chief guest.
High Commissioner of Pakistan to Bangladesh Imran Haider and Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Mostafa Mahmud Siddiq were also present.
The ceremony was presided over by Dr Md Shafiqur Rahman, managing director and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines.
Biman’s first flight reached Karachi at 11pm local time. The return flight, BG-342, leaving Karachi at 12:01am on Friday is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka at 4:20am local time.
A total of 150 passengers travelled on the inaugural flight.
Authorities expect that the launch of this route will ease travel between Bangladesh and Pakistan, making it more convenient for passengers while also opening new opportunities for business, tourism, and family visits.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines emphasised its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of passenger safety and service quality. The flights will be operated with modern aircraft and experienced crews.
It is to be mentioned that to ensure smooth Hajj operations, Biman recently announced a temporary suspension of its Manchester (United Kingdom) flights for two months and 10 days.
Shortly after, the airline decided to launch flights on the Dhaka-Karachi route.
