Bhubaneswar: Flight service between Bhubaneswar and Utkela commenced today as Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik flagged off the first flight. The Union Minister joined the event virtually through videoconferencing.

This apart, the newly-constructed Utkela Airport was also inaugurated by Scindia and Patnaik on the occasion.

A 9-seater IndiaOne Air flight left for Utkela from the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) here at around 10.30 AM.

As per the website of the airline, the flight service between Bhubaneswar and Utkela will be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Ticket Price: Rs 1049 per passenger.

Flight Timings:

Bhubaneswar to Utkela-- 7.15 AM (Departure Time), 8.25 AM (Arrival Time).

Utkela to Bhubaneswar-- 8.50 AM (Departure Time), 10 AM (Arrival Time).

The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had granted the required license to Utkela Airport to start flight operations on August 7.

The state government has spent around Rs 162 crore for acquisition of land, construction of runway and terminal building for Utkela Airport.

Utkela became be the fifth airport in Odisha after BPIA, Jharsuguda, Jeypore and Rourkela to start flight operations.