Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday (April 1), on Utkal Diwas, launched ticket sales for the much-anticipated direct international flight from Bhubaneswar to Dubai went on sale, according to a press release issued by the Odisha government.
The first international flight from Bhubaneswar to Dubai will take off on May 15 from Biju Patnaik International Airport.
"Connectivity is key to development, and it has been a focus area of our government," said the Odisha chief minister at the ticket sales launch at Naveen Niwas, as per the release.
Direct connectivity with Dubai, one of the world's busiest aviation hubs, will provide a direct link to the rest of the world. "It will not only provide seamless connectivity, but it will also have a significant multiplier effect on investment in Odisha in sectors such as IT, manufacturing, and tourism. This is New Odisha's ambition, and I am delighted to begin ticket sales for the Dubai flight," the CM said.
The first eight tickets were distributed by the CM to Mission Shakti women, athletes, tribal leaders, Skilled Odisha students, and artists.
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 are among them.
While attending the Make in Odisha Conclave in Dubai, chief minister Naveen Patnaik assured the investor community and the Odia diaspora that direct flights from the Middle East will begin.
The CM had also given permission to fully fund the flight operations, the release said.
As one of the world's busiest travel hubs, the start of direct flight connectivity will open up new opportunities for investment, trade, and tourism.
It will also provide a convenient option for leisure travellers from around the world visiting Odisha, it said.
Furthermore, within two weeks of the launch of direct flights to Dubai, international flight operations to Singapore and Bangkok will begin, realising Odisha's vision of becoming the gateway to the East. Direct connectivity to aviation hubs such as Dubai, Singapore, and Bangkok will significantly improve connectivity, facilitating travel for investor communities, tourists, and Odia people working in these regions.
Indigo Airlines was recently awarded the contract to operate direct flights to these three key gateways. Indigo Airlines will operate three direct flights per week from Biju Patnaik International Airport, the release said citing the agreemenrt. The initial ticket prices will be Rs 10,000 for a single side trip and Rs 20,000 for a round trip. The subsidised tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for each flight, it added further.