NovoAir’s Managing Director Mofizur Rahman has dismissed rumors that the private Bangladeshi airline is shutting down operations following a wave of speculation on social media.

The uncertainty intensified after users observed the airline’s website had no tickets available beyond April 19. Rahman clarified on Tuesday that the temporary suspension of sales was due to operational reasons, not closure.

“We had stopped ticket sales beyond April 19 for a specific reason. That’s why the rumor spread. Flights have now resumed, and tickets are available again,” he told bdnews24.com.

A senior official added that the airline was preparing to sell smaller aircraft to acquire larger ones, prompting a temporary hold on future bookings. A buyers’ inspection was scheduled, but following internal discussions, NovoAir decided to continue its operations.

The speculation comes amid longstanding rumors, fuelled in part by the airline’s January 2024 sale of two ATR 72-500 aircraft to Nepal’s Yeti Airlines. NovoAir now operates five aircraft.

Founded in 2013, NovoAir is one of three private carriers in Bangladesh, alongside US-Bangla Airlines and Air Astra. It has operated over 100,000 flights, serving more than 7.5 million passengers. The airline has also received awards for punctuality and service.

Currently, NovoAir serves several domestic routes and briefly operated international flights to Kolkata before suspending that route in 2024.

Social media users expressed concern, with some lamenting a possible shutdown, although the airline has reaffirmed its ongoing operations.