AirSial receives approval to operate direct flights between Pakistan and Bangladesh

In a significant development for regional aviation, Pakistan's private airline AirSial has secured official clearance from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) to commence direct flights between Pakistan and Bangladesh. This approval marks AirSial as the second Pakistani carrier to receive such authorization in 2025, following Fly Jinnah's earlier clearance in February.

CAAB Chairman Md Monjur Kabir Bhuiyan confirmed the approval, stating, "We gave clearance to AirSial to operate direct flights between Bangladesh and Pakistan." As per standard procedure, AirSial will now appoint a General Sales Agent (GSA) in Bangladesh and apply for flight slots accordingly.

AirSial, headquartered in Sialkot, Pakistan, operates a fleet of six Airbus aircraft. The airline's entry into the Bangladesh market is expected to enhance connectivity between the two nations and offer Bangladeshi passengers transit options to various international destinations, particularly in the Middle East.

The last direct air link between Pakistan and Bangladesh was operated by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), which ceased its Dhaka-Karachi flights in 2018 due to low booking rates and financial losses.

Bangladesh's High Commissioner to Pakistan, Md Iqbal Hussain, previously indicated that, upon approval, AirSial might commence flights to Dhaka within two months.

This development is seen as a step forward in strengthening bilateral relations and improving air connectivity between Pakistan and Bangladesh.