After SAIL-AAI Pact, Flight Operations From Rourkela Airport In Odisha Await DGCA Nod

Bhubaneswar/New Delhi: Decks have been cleared for the launch of commercial flights from Rourkela with Steel Authority of India (SAIL) and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) signing an agreement to operationalise the airport in Odisha.

The SAIL and AAI have signed an agreement for  Communication, Navigation, Surveillance and Air Navigation Services, Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said while replying to a question by BJD member Mamata Mahanta in the Rajya Sabha on Monday.

He, however, refrained from announcing any date for the launch of commercial flights to city, which is one of the venues for FIH Honey Men’s World Cup next year. “Commercial flights can operate at the airport as soon as the aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) completes its inspection for upgradation of the airport from Code 2B to Code 2C to allow operation of ATR-type aircraft and gives its nod,” he said.

This delay was attributed to the pendency of the CNS and ANS agreement between AAI and SAIL. A DGCA team is scheduled to arrive at Rourkela on Tuesday to inspect the airport on Wednesday, sources said.

Rourkela airport is among the five airports in Odisha identified for upgradation for the operation of flights under the regional connectivity scheme, Udan. With Hockey World Cup 2023 is scheduled from January 13 to 29 at Bhubaneswar and Rourkela. steps are being taken for early completion of upgradation work for 2C category for commencement of commercial flight operation under RCS-UDAN.

The Union Minister further told the Rajya Sabha that the AAI has spent about Rs 28 crore on upgrading Rourkela airport. “I am happy to share that the airport work is complete and boundary walls have been built around the airport for Rs 2 crore. Resurfacing of the runway has also been accomplished. The construction of the perimeter wall will be done by December 15 and Rs 6 crore has been allocated for the extension of the terminal building which will be completed by December 2023,“ he said.

Alliance Air has won the bid for the Rourkela-Bhubaneswar route while Big Charter will look after the Rourkela-Kolkata route, Scindia informed.