Bhubaneswar: Biju Patnaik’s iconic Dakota (DC-3) Aircraft (VT-AUI) which was brought back to Odisha from NSCBI Airport, Kolkata last month has been installed in the front of Biju Patnaik International Airport on Sunday.
Former Chief Minister of Odisha owned Kalinga Airlines which had nearly a dozen Dakotas.
The aircraft was used by Patnaik to rescue former Indonesian Vice- President Md. Hatta and former Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir. For his effort, Late Biju Patnaik was given an honorary citizenship of Indonesia and awarded the title of ‘BHUMI PUTRA’ by the Indonesian Government, a recognition rarely granted to a foreigner.