Commercial Flights To Rourkela Ahead Of Hockey World Cup In Odisha, Charter Flights For Players

Bhubaneswar: With less than a month left for FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup, the Odisha government expects commercial flights to commence from Rourkela soon, while players will be ferried in charter flights.

Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra, who on Friday reviewed preparations for the mega event to be held in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela, said commercial flights will commence soon from Rourkela airport.

Stating that the airstrip work in Rourkela has been completed, the Chief Secretary said that inspection is now underway after which license for flight operations will be issued.

Discussion has been held with different airlines for undertaking flight services, he said, adding that Alliance Air has got permission under UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) to operate commercial flights.

After the license is obtained, Alliance Air will immediately start commercial flights, the Chief Secretary said.

The teams are being provided dedicated flights for their movement between Bhubaneswar and Rourkela. The players will be ferried in charter flights, he added.

The Chief Secretary’s statement came three days after the Organising Committee and the Chief Minister’s Office reviewed the preparations for the successful conduct of the mega international event.