Intra-state flight operations begin in Odisha

The intra-state commercial flight operations of home-grown carrier Air Odisha were flagged off by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the Biju Patnaik International Airport here on Tuesday.

A nine-seater aircraft will connect Jharsuguda, Rourkela and Jeypore cities with Bhubaneswar.

On its inaugural journey, the carrier took off to Sambalpur from the city airport here and would return to Bhubaneswar via Jharsuguda.

The chief minister said the state government fulfilled the long-standing demand for aircraft connectivity to these areas within the state.

He said intra-state air connectivity will further boost the industry and tourism sectors in the state.

This is an initiative by the Odisha government to provide air connectivity to Sambalpur, Jharsuguda and Jeypore, he added.

Air Odisha had conducted a trial run from Bhubaneswar to Sambalpur on December 18 last year.

The service will be available six days a week except on Sunday.

The Bhubaneswar-based private carrier is offering tickets at as low as Rs.2,499 as an inaugural offer, said Air Odisha sources.