Bhubaneswar, Odisha : Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi today inaugurated the much-awaited Bhubaneswar–Jharsuguda flight service at Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar. The 76-seater Star Air aircraft will operate under the Odisha New Destination Policy with Viability Gap Funding (VGF) support.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister personally handed over the boarding passes to the first passengers, marking a historic step in regional air connectivity.
Flight Details
Operates 5 days a week – Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Travel time: Just 45 minutes
Plans underway to convert into a daily service soon
CM Majhi said this new service will not only bring western Odisha closer to the state capital but also accelerate industrial growth, tourism, and cultural exchange.
Currently, Bhubaneswar Airport operates 39 flight routes, including 4 international flights to Singapore, Bangkok, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi. Within Odisha, flights connect Jeypore, Rourkela, with Jharsuguda now added as a new destination.
The Chief Minister announced that a world-class Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) facility will be developed at Bhubaneswar Airport. He emphasized Odisha’s vision of becoming a leading aviation hub in India within the next few years.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Deputy CMs Kanak Vardhan Singhdeo and Pravati Parida, Fisheries & Animal Resources Minister Gokulananda Mallik, MLAs Babu Singh (Ekamra), Om Prakash Mishra (Satyabadi), Upasana Mahapatra (Brahmagiri), Prakash Sethi (Cuttack Sadar), Amar Nayak (Badachana), and Chhabi Mallik (Niali), along with senior officials including Commerce & Transport Principal Secretary Usha Padhee and Airport Director.