Bhubaneswar: Ahead of the launch of a much-awaited direct international flight from Bhubaneswar to Dubai, ticket sales started on April 1.
The maiden international flight from Bhubaneswar to Dubai will take off from Biju Patnaik International Airport on May 15.
Launching the ticket sales at Naveen Niwas, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said, “Connectivity is key to development and it has been a focus area of our government. Direct connectivity with Dubai which is one of the biggest aviation hubs will open up a direct gateway to the world. Not only it will provide seamless connectivity but also it will have a huge multiplier effect on investment in Odisha in sectors like IT, manufacturing, and tourism. This is the aspiration of New Odisha and I am very happy to open ticket sales for the Dubai Flight”.
The CM handed over the first eight tickets to Mission Shakti women, sportspersons, tribal leaders, Skilled Odisha students, and artists.
He also approved to fund the flight operations completely.
The commencement of direct flight connectivity to Dubai will open up new avenues for investment, trade, and tourism.
Within 2 weeks of the launch of the direct flight to Dubai, international flight operations will commence to Singapore and Bangkok.
Direct connectivity to aviation hubs like Dubai, Singapore, and Bangkok will give a huge boost to connectivity facilitating travel for investor communities, and tourists as well as seamless and economic travel options for Odia people working in these regions.
Indigo Airlines has recently won the bid to operate direct flights to these three important gateways. As per the agreement, Indigo Airlines will operate direct flights from Biju Patnaik International Airport thrice a week.
Inaugural ticket prices have been set to begin at ₹10,000 per single side journey and ₹20,000 for round trip. Each flight will have these subsidised tickets on first come first serve basis.