Bangladesh gives Pakistan’s Fly Jinnah nod to operate Karachi-Dhaka direct flights: Reports

Bangladesh has reportedly greenlighted a proposal by Fly Jinnah, Pakistan’s private airline, to operate direct flights between Dhaka and Karachi. The move paves the way for the establishment of air connectivity between the two South Asian nations after nearly a decade.

The reports come days after Bangladesh High Commissioner to Pakistan Mohammad Iqbal Hussain declared that direct flights between the two counties would be announced in ‘coming months’. The official argued that better air connectivity between Lahore, Karachi and Dhaka would facilitate the deepening of trade and business ties.

The two countries lack air connectivity since February 2015, the month when state-owned flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) operated its last flight to Bangladesh.

Dhaka eager to welcome Fly Jinnah

Earlier, it was reported in Bangladeshi media that the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) had approved the proposal and it was waiting for Fly Jinnah to request slots and frequencies.

“They [Fly Jinnah] applied to us, and we have approved it,” The Daily Star quoted CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Monjur Kabir Bhuiyan as saying.

“Now they (Fly Jinnah) will appoint a GSA (General Sales Agent). Once they request slots and frequencies, we will provide them. Our part is currently complete,” the official said.

Fly Jinnah is a joint venture between Pakistan’s Lakson Group and UAE-based Air Arabia, a low-cost carrier headquartered in Sharjah.

Thaw in Bangladesh-Pakistan ties

The push to bolster air connectivity comes after Pakistan and Bangladesh established a direct maritime link in November when a cargo vessel arrived at the port in the city of Chittagong on November 11 from Karachi.

Following the ouster of then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August last year following a student uprising, Dhaka has drifted towards Islamabad under the Muhammad Yunus-led caretaker government, with analysts viewing it as a concern for India that has long faced hostility from the deep state within Pakistan.

Bangladesh and Pakistan are not traditional allies. Bangladesh came into existence in 1971 after Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was denied the opportunity to govern Pakistan despite an electoral victory. Then known as East Pakistan, the region saw persecution of the Bengali people by Urdu-speaking West Pakistani officials and military commanders. This triggered what is called the Liberation War, resulting into a massive refugee crisis in India’s bordering states. India intervened militarily, leading to the creation of Bangladesh.

(With inputs from agencies)