Novoair, a Bangladeshi private airline company, returned to its normal operations today after adjusting its schedule to allow foreign buyers to inspect its five ATR aircrafts.

As per the requirement of the foreign buyers, Novoair authorities earlier decided to stop the airlines' operation for a week from April 19, Novoair Managing Director Md Mofizur Rahman told The Daily Star.

"After talking with the foreign delegations, we have adjusted the schedule. According to the changed schedule, they will inspect our aircraft at night. Therefore, we are back to the normal operation," said the Novoair boss.

Mofizur said that to allow the foreign delegation to inspect the aircraft, we had stopped selling tickets from April 19. After changing the schedule, we have now opened up selling tickets on all platforms.

After the carrier stopping selling tickets, rumors spread on social media that Novoair was shutting down its operations.

The airlines later issued an announcement on its website stating that Novoair flights schedule is operating normally.

"It is to clarify that there is a prevailing confusion in the social media about non-availability of Novoair flights post April 19. Please be advised that all Novoair flights will be operating as usual, as per routine, without disruption. Schedules are available on all our sales channels, including our Website and App," read the announcement.

Despite plans to expand its fleet and international network, Novoair, a private airline in Bangladesh, has been unable to do so due to a global shortage of aircraft available for lease.

Since May last year, the airline has been working to lease three aircraft as part of its plan to expand its international routes to six destinations—Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Dubai, Sharjah, and Muscat, Mofizur Rahman earlier told The Daily Star.

Rahman explained that the airline has been trying to expand its fleet by replacing the current planes with narrow-body aircrafts.

"Our initial plan is to add three aircrafts," said Mofizur.

Currently, Novoair operates daily domestic flights connecting Dhaka to Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Sylhet, Jashore, Saidpur, and Rajshahi with its fleet of five ATRs. While international flights to Kolkata are temporarily suspended, the airline plans to resume them soon.

In late January 2024, Novoair sold two ATR 72-500 aircraft to Nepal's Yeti Airlines.