Despite boom, challenges remain

BHUBANESWAR: About a decade ago, Bhubaneswar was the only international airport of Odisha, which also connected to metros like Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Now, with links to around 25 domestic destinations and four operating airports, the state has come a long way in terms of air connectivity. Despite the aviation boom, stakeholders feel much is needed for a sustainable road map for the sector.
“Although the government has announced direct international flights from Biju Patnaik International Airport to Dubai, Singapore and Bangkok, attention has to be given to more direct international connectivity for better links to the tourism circuits,” said J K Mohanty, chairman, Hotel and Restaurant Association of Odisha (HRAO) and Indian Association of Tour Operators, eastern region.
Earlier, a private airline had stopped its service to Kuala Lumpur in 2017 while the flight between Bhubaneswar and Bangkok was discontinued in 2019 after only a year. “There is a need for continuous interaction between the stakeholders like the government, airlines and various industries,” said Benjamin Simon, a tour and travel industry veteran.
After the launch of flight service between Bhubaneswar and Rangeilunda on March 5, a much-needed demand of southern Odisha saw the light of the day. The state-sponsored service will operate two days a week. There is a demand for a greenfield airport in Silk City, but some have raised doubts on its viability. “In 2008 and 2012, the government had launched a similar type of service. The flights had stopped after a couple of days,” said Ram Prasad Tripathy, convener of Milita Kriya Anusthan Committee, which has been spearheading the demand for a green - field airport in Berhampur.
“The present service between Berhampur and Bhubaneswar will not serve the purpose as a large number of people from Ganjam district work in cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, New Delhi, Kolkata and Surat,” said Srikant Padhy, who was also part of the agitation.
Jeypore in Koraput district became the third airport in the state after Bhubaneswar and Jharsuguda to operate commercial flights on October 31, 2022. A private carrier is providing services to Bhubaneswar and Visakhapatnam from Jeypore on weekdays. “The air - port will be upgraded to 3C category to handle big aircraft. The detailed project report has been prepared and land acquisition will start soon,” said Koraput collector Abdaal M Akhtar
Apart from industry and mining, the Jharsuguda airport has helped im prove tourism, education, and healthcare in western Odisha. During Covid, Jharsuguda airport had seen people returning home in flights. It was among the best performing airports under UDAN scheme and a ‘Udan Utsav’ was organised at VSS Airport, which was inaugurated by civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.