Bhubaneswar: The much awaited direct flight services between Surat, home to lakhs of Odia residents and Bhubaneswar will commence from January 20, 2020. While congratulating the residents on Twitter, Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi posted the confirmation from Air India.
Hailing the decision, Sarangi wrote, “Congratulations to all our Odia friends in Bhubaneswar and Surat. Finally, we have Bhubaneswar- Surat flight w.e.f. 20th January, 2020.”
As per tentative timings released by the Air India authorities, the direct flight services will be available for fliers from both directions on Bangalore-Surat-Bhubaneswar route twice a week.
The Air India flight will start from Bangalore airport at 6.10 AM and reach Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar at 8.10 AM on every Monday and Thursday. After a halt for half-an-hour, the flight will take off from Bhubaneswar airport at 8.40 AM and reach Surat at 10.40 AM. From there, the flight will depart for Bangalore at 11.10 AM.
The return flight will depart from Bangalore airport at 6.10 AM and reach Surat at 8 AM every Friday and Sunday. From there, it will leave for Bhubaneswar at 8.30 AM and reach the Biju Patnaik International Airport at 10.30 AM.
It is pertinent to mention here that a large number of Odias have settled and are engaged in various spheres of trade, commerce and industrial activity in Surat. Due to absence of any direct air connectivity, it was long-standing demand of such residents.