14 new airports, 15 heliports: Odisha govt mulls massive aviation infra boom with new land policy

Odisha is preparing for a sweeping aviation infrastructure expansion, with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announcing the development of 14 new airports and 15 heliports across the state. A new progressive land allotment policy for aviation facilities will also be rolled out to encourage flying training, UAV operations, and aero sports.

The announcements were made on Monday at the Eastern Region Civil Aviation Ministers’ Conference in Bhubaneswar, attended by representatives from Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha, along with Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu.

14 Airports, 15 Heliports On The Cards

CM Majhi said the government is working to upgrade 14 unused airstrips into full-fledged airports while also planning 15 heliports in districts that currently lack air connectivity. These facilities will support passenger services, training academies, and aero sports, creating multiple avenues within the aviation ecosystem.

The CM asserted that many flying training institutes will conduct activities inside the newly constructed airports. The government’s new policy will ensure Odisha becomes a hub for pilot training, UAV training, and aero sports, he added.

Cadet Pilot Training For Tribal Girls

Under the state’s flagship initiative B-MAAN (Building and Management of Aviation Assets and Network), a cadet pilot programme will be launched to train tribal girls to become commercial pilots.

The state government signed an agreement with Air Works, one of India’s leading Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) companies, to establish a modern facility at Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Bhubaneswar.

The MRO, to be set up on the airport apron, will provide services for aircraft maintenance while creating opportunities for youth training, skill development, and employment.