Bhubaneswar: The flight service between Utkela Airport in Kalahandi district and Odisha capital is all set to commence on August 31.

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

IndiaOne Air will provide air service between Utkela Airport and Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Odisha capital in the first phase. The service will be extended to Raipur in Chhattisgarh in the subsequent phase. IndiaOne Air has arranged a nine-seater flight to start air service between Utkela Airport and BPIA, said a source.

The first flight on the route is scheduled to take off from BPIA at 10.35 am on August 31 (Thursday), sources said.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia will inaugurate the flight service between Bhubaneswar and Utkela through virtual mode.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is scheduled to flag off the first flight from Bhubaneswar to Utkela at BPIA, sources added.

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

Utkela would be the fifth airport in Odisha after BPIA, Jharsuguda, Jeypore and Rourkela to start flight operations, said an official.

“The flight service between Utkela and Bhubaneswar will give impetus to tourism and economic activities in Kalahandi region of Odisha,” added the official.

The DGCA, in exercise of the powers under Rule 78 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937 delegated vide S.O no. 727 (E) dated 4th October, 1994, granted licence to the Odisha government for Utkela Airport.

The licence authorizes the aerodrome to be used as regular place of landing and departure to all persons on equal terms and conditions for operation by aircraft. The licence is liable to be suspended/modified/ withdrawn/or any condition may be imposed, if any violation of the provisions of the Aircraft Act 1934, Aircraft Rules 1937 and any other orders issued under the said Act, sources said.