CM Naveen Patnaik flagging off Air Odisha flight Tuesday
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Post News Network
Bhubaneswar: Air Odisha Aviation Private Limited has started its services from the Capital city to four industrial towns of Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Rourkela and Jeypore.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Tuesday flagged off Air Odisha’s nine -seater light aircraft from the old terminal of Biju Patnaik International Airport and created a history by fulfilling the dream of his visionary father Biju Patnaik.
Air Odisha will offer daily commercial flights to the four destinations from Monday to Saturday. The airline got its final Non-Schedule Operator’s Permit December 22, 2015.
According to the flight schedule, the airline’s first flight from BPIA will go to Sambalpur at 6:30am and return to Bhubaneswar via Jharsuguda at 9am. Similarly, the second flight from BPIA will go to Jeypore at 9:30am and return to BPIA at 12:45pm. The afternoon flight from BPIA at 3:30pm will fly to Rourkela and return to BPIA via Jharsuguda at 6:15pm.
When contacted RK Pani, chairman and managing director of Air Odisha informed Orissa POST the airline has plans to start maintenance, repair and overhauling (MRO) organisation in the state and the airline has been considering expansion plans.
“Currently, there is no MRO in Orissa and the airlines owned by private persons or by the government are going to Kolkata, Bangalore or Delhi for maintenance. So, we have a plan to start an MRO in BPIA if we get at least half an acre land close to the airport. Now, our maintenance work is done by Deccan Charters. Our airline will have more connectivity in the future,” added Pani. Airport director Sharad Kumar said BPIA will have more intra-state flights if Air Odisha
venture succeeds.
“Intra-state flights will create more air connectivity and will boost the tourism sector. Moreover, air connectivity will be helpful during natural calamities. BPIA will have more intra-state flights if Air Odisha venture comes out successful,” said Sharad Kumar.
According to airlines sources, the airline offers connectivity at a fare of `2500 to `6000 and its online booking (www.airodisha.com) will commence Wednesday. However, top officials of Air Odisha said the air fare will be reviewed every month and ticket fare would be on first come first served basis.