Odisha: CM opens air ticketing to Singapore, Bangkok

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today opened air ticketing to Singapore and Bangkok, facilitating people of Odisha to travel to these south-east Asian cities at a fair price.

With this, the State became a pioneer and the first in the country to support and commence international air connectivity in the interest of the public. Indigo Airlines will commence direct international flights to Singapore as well as Bangkok from June 3, 2023.

Earlier, direct flight ticketing was launched by the Chief Minister to Dubai which will start from May 15.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the initiative will promote job opportunities for the youth of Odisha, open up tourism potential and provide a boost to IT and ITES sectors in the State.

“It is a momentous occasion for all of us today as Indigo opens ticketing to Singapore and Bangkok from Bhubaneswar. Recently, I inaugurated air ticketing to Dubai. With this, Odisha is now connected to the top cosmopolitan Asian cities – opening a whole new world of opportunities for our people. In the last few years, the aviation traffic in Odisha has witnessed immense growth. Though the domestic flight connectivity has seen a noticeable improvement, the government has come forward to make a sizeable contribution to ensure direct international flight connectivity between Bhubaneswar and world-class destinations to meet the people’s aspirations,” Patnaik said.

The Chief Minister hoped that these international flights would provide tourists with more convenient and affordable travel options while also encouraging trade and tourism. He thanked the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India and Indigo Airlines for their support.

Chief Secretary PK Jena, 5T Secretary to CM VK Pandian, senior officials of Govt of Odisha and officials from Indigo Airlines were present on the occasion. Principal Secretary of Commerce and Transport Usha Padhee gave the welcome address.

It is pertinent to mention, in the current year’s budget, Govt of Odisha has made an allocation of Rs 100 crore to support the viability gap funding. Due to such support, international travelling has become affordable for every passenger travelling from Odisha.

Online reservations for Indigo’s initial flights from Bhubaneswar to Dubai have received an incredibly encouraging response.

Singapore and Bangkok will be the threshold to the entire south-eastern Asian region while connectivity to Dubai will open the gateway to Gulf, Europe and Western countries making world tours accessible, convenient and affordable for the people of Odisha.

It is well recognised that the aviation sector has a multiplier effect on the local economy and growth. International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) study shows that air connectivity has an economic multiplier of 3.1 and an employment multiplier of 6.1.

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