Bhubaneswar: Odisha took a major step forward in enhancing its global connectivity as Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi flagged off the first-ever direct flight from Bhubaneswar to Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. The launch marks a strategic milestone in the state’s bid to establish itself as a key aviation hub in eastern India.
The new service, operated by IndiGo Airlines, becomes the fourth international route from the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA), following existing flights to Dubai, Singapore, and Bangkok. Scheduled to operate thrice weekly — on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays — the flight is expected to improve access between Odisha and the Middle East, boosting business, tourism, and diaspora movement.
At the launch event, Chief Minister Majhi credited the Centre’s support and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guidance in making the direct Bhubaneswar–Abu Dhabi connection a reality. “This new route will not only connect Odisha to the UAE but also promote investment, trade, and cultural exchange,” he said.
The flight, with a seating capacity of 180, includes cargo facilities that aim to benefit local exporters. In a promising start, the inaugural service carried 50 tonnes of mangoes from Odisha to Abu Dhabi, underlining the potential of air cargo to support agri-export and rural incomes.
Officials noted that this new connection is part of the state’s B-MAAN (Biju Patnaik International Airport – MoU for Augmenting Air Network) initiative, a policy push to expand air routes and establish Odisha as a more connected and competitive economy.
CM Majhi also pointed out that Odisha’s air travel network is steadily growing. Apart from international links, Bhubaneswar now offers domestic connectivity to major cities including Goa, Visakhapatnam, Kochi, Jaipur, Lucknow, Hindon, Port Blair, and Dehradun.
