NovoAir, a leading Bangladeshi domestic airline, has indefinitely suspended all flights starting Friday, May 2, leaving passengers and investors in limbo.
The abrupt halt, confirmed by the airline’s reservation department on Saturday, May 3, has sparked uncertainty as the company navigates a potential sale to a foreign buyer.
Passengers with tickets purchased directly from NovoAir were directed to contact the airline’s office for refunds, while those who booked through agencies must seek refunds from their respective agents. However, the airline has provided no timeline for resuming operations, deepening confusion among customers.
NovoAir sources attributed the suspension to severe financial losses, with the company reportedly haemorrhaging “hundreds of crores of taka” from commercial operations.
As part of a prospective sale to an unnamed foreign company, NovoAir is undergoing an audit, necessitating the temporary grounding of its fleet.
“Discussions are ongoing, but no final decision has been made on the sale,” an official told Jago News.
If the deal falls through, it remains unclear when – or if – flights will resume.
The airline, which operates daily flights from Dhaka to Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Sylhet, Jashore, Saidpur, and Rajshahi, has faced challenges before.
Its sole international route to Kolkata was suspended in September 2024 due to low passenger demand, and recent reports indicated plans to sell its five ATR aircraft, though NovoAir had previously denied shutdown rumours.
The indefinite suspension raises questions about NovoAir’s future in Bangladesh’s competitive aviation market, where high surcharges and operational costs have strained private carriers like Regent Airways and United Airways.
Industry observers are watching closely to see if a foreign acquisition can stabilize the airline or if it will face a prolonged grounding.