Bhubaneswar: Budget carrier IndiGo will commence operations from Bhubaneswar to Prayagraj with the launch of direct flight services from 1st July, 2020, informed Odisha Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy following a high-level meeting of Airlines CEO and Odisha government on enhancing air connectivity for the State here today.
The meeting chaired by Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik discussed the future road map with regard to improving air connectivity and air traffic-related issues in the State in presence of Chief Secretary, Commerce & Transport department minister, Union Civil Aviation Ministry Secretary & Joint Secretary, Airport Authority of India (AAI) chairman, and senior officials of various airlines.
The crucial meeting also discussed introduction of new flights in 10 or more routes between Bhubaneswar and other major airports which do not have direct connectivity.
Odisha has already announced commencement of direct flight services from the State in the coming days. Air India’s subsidiary, Alliance Air will launch air connectivity from Veer Surendra Sai (VSS) Airport in Jharsuguda to Varanasi via Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA), Bhubaneswar from January 31. Similarly, the carrier will also begin Jharsuguda-Kolkata direct flight from January 27.
Similarly, IndiGo will introduce flight services between Bhubaneswar and Varanasi from February 29.
"Discussions are underway with various airlines for finalising 13 new flights between Jharsuguda-Mumbai, Prayagraj-Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneswar-Bangkok, Bhubaneswar-Abu Dhabi, Bhubaneswar-Singapore and other routes. The government has further proposed to provide aviation fuel at 1% VAT to private carriers for flights to North-East and areas deprived of air connectivity, " said the Chief Secretary.
Citing rise in number of air travellers over the last few years, CM Naveen Patnaik promised introduction of more flights from Bhubaneswar to destinations like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong & Bangkok for convenience and comfort of the people of the State.
Pradeep Singh Kharola, Secretary of Ministry of Civil Aviation, said Odisha has enough potential to boost economic growth through aviation sector.
"In the last 5 years, air traffic growth from Bhubaneswar has been very good; there has been a rise in 29 per cent against national average of 17 per cent. The purpose of today's meeting was to chalk future road map and action plan so as to improve aviation connectivity within the State, between State, other parts of the country, and even beyond the country," said Kharola.