Dhaka: Following the government’s relaxation of lockdown restrictions for the domestic aviation sector, Biman Bangladesh Airlines and NOVOAIR have resumed flights across the country on August 6.

NOVOAIR is operating six daily flights from Dhaka to Chattogram, Saidpur, and Jashore while two flights to Barishal, Sylhet, Rajshahi and Cox's Bazar, the airline said in a statement.

On August 6, the flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines is operating two flights from Dhaka to Chattogram, and Saidpur, one each to Sylhet, Cox’s Bazar, Rajshahi, Barishal and Jashore.

From August 7, the national carrier will operate three regular flights to Chattogram, and Saidpur and two flights to Sylhet, Cox’s Bazar, Barishal, and Jashore and only one flight to Rajshahi.

The government has allowed domestic flights to resume operations on all routes from August 6 in gradual relaxation of the extended Covid-19 lockdown. The information was confirmed in the notification of the cabinet division regarding lockdown restrictions on August 5, which will remain in force from 12 am on August 5 till 12 am on August 10.

Right after the notification, US-Bangla Airlines issued a press release on resumption of flights on all domestic routes maintaining health guidelines from August 6. From Dhaka, the airline has announced to operate flights to Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Saidpur, Jashore, Sylhet, Barishal and Rajshahi.

Later, the other two local airlines – Biman and NOVOAIR – also mentioned their resumption of domestic flight services from August 6.

The countrywide lockdown, first imposed on July 23 for 14 days until August 5, has now been extended for another five days till August 10 as Covid’s Delta variant cases are soaring across the country.

According to the latest notification, industries and factories will remain out of the purview of the restriction while domestic flights will operate in compliance to health guidelines.