Novoair, the only private airline in Bangladesh is considering increasing its fleet and range by adding narrowbody jet aircraft to the turboprops it currently operates.
The airline currently operates six ATR 72-500 turboprops on domestic and short-haul international routes from its main hub in Dhaka. The carrier is currently in negotiations to add another ATR 72s, a Novoair executive said who was attending the recent MRO Southeast Asia conference.
The airline is also interested in buying at least two narrowbodies. The airline has not decided whether it would select the Airbus A320s or Boeing 737s. However, the executive added that the national carrier Biman Bangladesh already operates 737s, so logistic support could be easier if this type was chosen.
Novoair currently flies to seven domestic destinations and has one international route from Dhaka to Kilkata. Adding narrowbody aircraft would likely allow Novoair to serve other international destinations such as Bangkok. Novoair conducts its own line maintenance but outsources C checks.
