Bilateral Traffic Rights Stall Take Off Of Flights Between Bhubaneswar & Middle East

Bhubaneswar: Flights between Bhubaneswar and Middle Eastern countries haven’t been possible yet as the airport doesn’t possess the rights required to operate flights to the region and also European countries.

According to reports, flight services on these routes can be started only after getting the bilateral traffic agreement from the Aviation Ministry. The Biju Patnaik International Airport authorities have written a letter to the Centre regarding the same.

“We do not have the bilateral rights to operate flights between Middle-East and Bhubaneswar. Though international airliners are approaching us to start flight services to the Middle-Eastern countries, we are not able to do so. We have written to the Centre in this regard and once we are allowed, flights will be available to Dubai from the city airport,” said Principal Secretary, General Administration Department, Ashok Kumar Meena.

On the other hand, a new cargo terminal is being built with the airport planning to transport 50000 tonnes of cargo by 2022, up from the present 10000 tonnes.

Cargo facilities are also being planned at the newly-built Jharsuguda airport.

Silk Air, Fly Dubai and a few other airlines have in the past expressed interest in operating flights to and from Bhubaneswar. Currently, Air Asia operates a direct international flight to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from here. Air India is expected to resume its Bangkok flight soon. Apart from these, the airport sees a total of 42 flights every day.