Pakistan, Bangladesh resume direct flights amid warming ties
Direct flight operations between Pakistan and Bangladesh resumed on Thursday as Biman Bangladesh Airlines launched its inaugural service from Dhaka to Karachi, ending a 14-year hiatus.
According to a press release, the
restoration of the route marks a significant milestone in strengthening air
connectivity and deepening bilateral engagement between the two countries. The
fully booked inaugural flight departed from Hazrat
Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka, and landed at Jinnah International Airport,
Karachi.
The flight was seen off by Adviser
for Civil Aviation and Tourism Sk Bashir Uddin; Pakistan’s High Commissioner to
Bangladesh, Imran Haider; the Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and
Tourism; the Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh; and the
Managing Director and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, along with other senior
officials.
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The relaunch of the direct service has been widely welcomed as a long-awaited and positive development.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony,
the Adviser for Civil Aviation and Tourism highlighted the importance of the
Dhaka–Karachi route in enhancing connectivity, promoting tourism, and
strengthening people-to-people ties. He said Biman Bangladesh Airlines would
gradually increase flight frequency and work towards reducing airfares to make
travel more affordable.
He also expressed hope that
Bangladeshi travelers would visit Pakistan to explore its natural beauty,
cultural heritage, and diverse cuisine.
Speaking on the occasion, the High
Commissioner recalled the vision of Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of
Bangladesh, and Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan, to enhance
connectivity between the two countries.
He said that in line with this
vision, and reflecting the aspirations of the people of both nations, Pakistan
and Bangladesh agreed during the visit of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign
Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar to Dhaka in August last year to take
immediate steps to resume direct flights. He added that the operationalisation
of the service would play a key role in promoting youth, academic, cultural,
business, people-to-people, and familial exchanges.
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The High Commissioner thanked the Government of Bangladesh, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, and the Civil Aviation Authority for their efforts in making the launch possible.
Passengers on the inaugural flight
expressed happiness and enthusiasm over the restoration of the direct air link,
describing it as a milestone in bringing Pakistan and Bangladesh closer.
Source: https://en.prothomalo.com/