Direct flights between Pakistan, Bangladesh from December

“Direct flights between Pakistan and Bangladesh will begin from next month, a significant leap in strengthening connectivity between the two countries,” said Dhaka’s top diplomat on Wednesday (November 26, 2025).

“There has been no direct flight between Pakistan and Bangladesh for the last several years. As relations between the two countries improved this year [in 2025], two Pakistani private airlines have recently received approval for direct flights,“ the official added.

“Mahan Air will start three weekly flights between Dhaka and Karachi from next month,” Bangladesh’s High Commissioner in Islamabad, Iqbal Hussain Khan, told businessmen at Lahore Chamber of Commerce Industry (LCCI). However, he did not specify any date or other details.

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“Visa process has been simplified. Visas are now being issued on the joint recommendation of LCCI and the Bangladesh Honorary Consulate in Lahore,” the High Commissioner said. “Visas will be issued to members within three to four days, making travel between the two countries faster and easier,” he added.

“The three weekly flights between Dhaka and Karachi will be a significant leap in strengthening connectivity between the two countries,” Mr. Khan added.

Mahan Airlines, operating under the name Mahan Air, is a privately owned Iranian airline based in Tehran.

Relations between Dhaka and Islamabad have continued to improve on several fronts since Sheikh Hasina was ousted after massive student-led protests in Bangladesh on August 5, 2024 and Muhammad Yunus took over as the Chief Adviser of the interim government.

Recently, two Pakistani private airlines — Fly Jinnah and AirSial — received approval from the aviation authorities in Bangladesh to operate direct flights between Pakistan and Bangladesh.

“A direct cargo shipping service between the two countries will also be launched soon. While a cargo service between the two countries has been operational since last December, rising trade demand now requires a dedicated direct cargo route,” he said.

“Pakistan can increase rice exports to Bangladesh and Dhaka can supply fresh pineapples to Pakistan besides trade in textiles and ready-made garments,“ LCCI president Faheemur Rehman Saigol noted.

“At present, bilateral trade stands at $700 million but it may increase up to $3 billion over the next few years,” Mr. Saigol said. He also added that direct flights would further enhance trade relations.