Biman Bangladesh Airline's resumption of direct Dhaka-Karachi flights from January 29, after a decade, offered significant time savings and cutting passenger fares by up to Tk 30,000.
Biman has fixed the minimum one-way fare at Tk 30,899, while round-trip tickets will start from Tk 56,903, airline sources said, marking a sharp reduction compared to existing transit fares.
Currently, economy-class return tickets from Dhaka to Karachi on indirect routes via Middle Eastern hubs cost between Tk 88,000 and Tk 120,000, according to several travel agencies, driven by limited seat availability and dependence on foreign carriers.
The absence of a direct air link has long forced passengers to travel via Dubai, Doha or Sharjah, significantly increasing journey time and cost, CEO of Innoglobe Tours and Travel Md Taslim Amin told BSS on Wednesday.
While a nonstop flight between Dhaka and Karachi typically takes around four to four-and-a-half hours, passengers currently face average travel times ranging from 8.5 to 13 hours, and in some cases more than 20 hours, depending on transit schedules, said Amin, who is also Director of Tour Operators Association of Bangaldesh (TOAB).
Travel agents observed that the launch of Biman's nonstop service, alongside the possible entry of other carriers, is expected to introduce competition in a market that has effectively operated under monopoly conditions, helping stabilise fares.
Biman officials said the revived Dhaka-Karachi route will initially operate as a "strategic observation," with flights running on a trial basis from January 29 to March 30.
"We are getting good response so far .. more than 80 percent tickets of the Dhaka-Karachi first flight has been sold," Biman's Marketing and Sales Director Ashraful Alam said.
During the two-month test period, passenger demand, load factors and overall commercial performance will be closely monitored before a final decision is taken on making the route permanent or increasing flight frequency.
Biman last operated direct flights on the route in 2012 but suspended services following sustained losses and weak passenger demand.
Officials said the cautious relaunch reflects lessons drawn from that experience.
Under the published schedule, flights will operate twice weekly on Thursdays and Saturdays. "BSS
