Bhubaneswar–Abu Dhabi direct flight fare starts at Rs 12,000; check key details

The Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Bhubaneswar will launch its much-awaited direct flight service to Abu Dhabi starting Thursday, June 12. 

Operated by IndiGo Airlines, the route marks the latest addition to the state’s growing international connectivity network, offering a strategic link to the Gulf region.

As per the information available on the airline’s website, the non-stop flight will connect Bhubaneswar with Abu Dhabi three times a week on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

Flight and Fare Details

Departing from Bhubaneswar at 9:35 am IST, the aircraft will land in the UAE capital at 12:35 pm, local time, completing the journey in approximately four hours and thirty minutes. The return leg will take off from Abu Dhabi at 2:35 am local time and reach Bhubaneswar by 8:35 am IST.

The website further stated that the introductory fares for this new route start at Rs 12,685 for a one-way ticket from Bhubaneswar to Abu Dhabi, with return fares priced at Rs 16,132. 

As with most international routes, prices are expected to fluctuate based on seasonal demand and seat availability. Airline sources have indicated that bookings for the inaugural services are filling up quickly.

Notably, the state has witnessed high demand for air connectivity to the Gulf, particularly since the launch of the Bhubaneswar–Dubai route in May 2023, which has consistently operated at near full capacity.

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High in Demand Route

With a significant Odia workforce employed across the UAE, Qatar, and Oman, this new Abu Dhabi connection is expected to provide much-needed convenience for both blue-collar workers and business travellers.

Beyond diaspora travel, the new route also opens doors to broader trade, investment, and tourism opportunities. Abu Dhabi serves as a global transit hub, connecting travellers to Europe, the Americas, and Africa. For Odisha, this means easier access to global markets and an opportunity to promote itself as a business and tourism destination.

In recent months, BPIA has added new routes to Goa, Port Blair, and Ghaziabad (Hindon), increasing its domestic footprint to 28 cities and daily aircraft movements have now risen to 56.

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Meanwhile, in western Odisha, Jharsuguda was recently connected to Mumbai through a daily direct flight. The Centre has also granted in-principle approval for a new Greenfield airport in Puri, one of India’s top pilgrimage destinations, which will serve millions of annual visitors to the Jagannath Temple once operational.