Bhubaneswar to Abu Dhabi direct flights to begin in June; know all details

Bhubaneswar is set to soar further into international airspace with the launch of direct flights to Abu Dhabi starting June 2025.

The announcement was made by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) on Thursday and also relayed by Biju Patnaik International Airport Director Prasanna Pradhan.

According to the reports, the flights will be operated by IndiGo Airlines and will connect Biju Patnaik International Airport with the UAE capital thrice weekly, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

“An international flight to Abu Dhabi will start in June. The airline has not yet provided an official time slot for the same, but it would be conveyed to the press in due time,” said Pradhan in an interaction with media personnel in Bhubaneswar.

The international service is being rolled out under the state’s Building Management of Aviation Assets and Network (B-MAAN) scheme, a flagship programme aimed at transforming Odisha’s aviation landscape.

Additionally, this new connectivity is expected to enhance business travel, attract foreign tourists, and open doors for the Odia diaspora in the Gulf region.

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Part of a Broader Aviation Strategy

The Bhubaneswar–Abu Dhabi route is the latest success under the New Destination Policy–2024 and B-MAAN scheme, both of which were announced during the 2025–26 budget. 

The Odisha government has earmarked Rs 382 crore to improve aviation infrastructure, including building a greenfield airport at Paradip and adding 10 new domestic and 3 international routes.

Simultaneously, the government confirmed the launch of daily flights between Bhubaneswar and Visakhapatnam, also operated by IndiGo. The intra-regional service is expected to bolster tourism and commerce between coastal hubs and complement the international thrust offered by the Abu Dhabi flight.