Odisha CM launches ticket sales for Bhubaneswar-Dubai direct flight service

Bhubaneswar: Ahead of the commencement of direct international flight service between Bhubaneswar and Dubai, ticket sales started on the occasion of Utkal Diwas today.

The maiden international flight from Bhubaneswar to Dubai will take off from Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) on May 15.

“Connectivity is the key to development and it has been a focus area of our government. Direct connectivity with Dubai which is one of the biggest aviation hubs will open up a direct gateway to the world. It will provide seamless connectivity and also boost investment in sectors like IT, manufacturing and tourism in Odisha. This is the aspiration of New Odisha and I am very happy to open ticket sales for the Dubai Flight,” said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik while launching the ticket sales at his residence here today.

The CM handed over the first eight tickets to Mission Shakti women, sportspersons, tribal leaders, Skilled in Odisha students and artists.

The recipients are Sundargarh SDC Chairperson Binay Kumar Toppo, keonjhar SDC Chairperson Laxmi Nayak, Koraput DLF President Jyotirekha Chetty, sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik, footballer Anuradha Biswal, shooter Shriyanka Sadangi, Balaram Rout from Jajpur Government Polytechnic and Himansu Sahoo from Rourkela Government ITI.

While attending Make In Odisha Conclave in Dubai, Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik had assured the investor community and Odia Diaspora that the state government would facilitate direct flight service commence to Middle East.

The Chief Minister had also given approval to fund the flight operations. Direct flight to Dubai will open up new avenues for investment, trade and tourism. It will also offer a convenient option for leisure travelers from across the world to visit Odisha.

Within two weeks of the launch of direct flight to Dubai, international flight operations will commence to Singapore and Bangkok realizing Odisha’s vision to become the gateway to the East. Direct connectivity to aviation hubs like Dubai, Singapore and Bangkok will give a huge boost to connectivity facilitating travel for investor communities, tourists as well as seamless and economic travel option to Odia people working in these regions.

Indigo Airlines has recently won the bid to operate direct flights to these three important gateways. As per the agreement, Indigo Airlines will operate direct flight from BPIA thrice a week. Inaugural ticket prices have been set to begin at Rs 10,000 per single side journey and Rs 20,000 for round trip. Each flight will have the subsidised tickets on first come first serve basis.

A larger delegation from the state will go in the first flight to Dubai, said the Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister thanked the Centre, especially Union Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, for providing all facilitation services for the flight operations.

Secretary to CM (5T) VK Pandian coordinated the event. Commerce and Transport department Principal Secretary Usha  Padhee briefed the Chief Minister about the flight operations.

Commerce and Transport Minister Tukuni Sahoo, Chief Secretary PK Jena, Development Commissioner Anu Garg and other senior officers of Odisha government, Airport Authority of India and Indigo were present on the occasion.

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