Bhubaneswar: Direct flight operation is likely to begin from the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Bhubaneswar to Abu Dhabi in June, this year.
With the proposed introduction of the new international flight service, Odisha capital is set to considerably enhance air connectivity to global destinations and airport officials are optimistic of getting a good response from travellers.
Noting that the direct flights to Dubai are booked to capacity since launch in May 2023, BPIA director Prasanna Pradhan said Abu Dhabi flights are also expected to draw similar response.
Direct air link to two Middle East destinations would not only facilitate travel to Gulf countries, entire Europe, North America and Canada with just one layover.
“The footfall in Bangkok and Singapore flights is also impressive. In international as well as domestic operations, BPIA is growing with new destinations adding up. Since 2022, many new cities have been connected with Bhubaneswar, thus expanding the domestic air traffic as well,” Pradhan was quoted by TOI as saying.
This apart, Bhubaneswar is also set to connected to three more domestic destinations – Ghaziabad, Port Blair and Goa – from April, taking the total number of domestic destinations to 28. With the launch of the new flight operations, BPIA’s total departures in a day will rise to 56 and equal arrivals.
In 2024, BPIA registered a 26.9% growth in passenger footfall, compared to 2023. “In 2025, we will be able to achieve the five million annual footfall target with more flights for overseas and domestic operations coming up,” Pradhan added.