Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched the booking of tickets for direct flight from Bhubaneswar to Dubai on the occasion of Utkal Diwas on Saturday.
Launching the sale of tickets at Naveen Niwas in Bhubaneswar, the Chief Minister handed over the first eight tickets to Mission Shakti women, sportspersons, tribal leaders, Skilled in Odisha students and artists. The maiden flight from Bhubaneswar to Dubai will take off from Biju Patnaik International Airport on May 15.
The tickets were given to Sundargarh SDC chairman Binay Kumar Toppo, Keonjhar SDC chairperson Laxmi Nayak, Koraput DLF president Jyotirekha Chetty, sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik, footballer Anuradha Biswal, shooter Shriyanka Sadangi, Balaram Rout from Jajpur Govt Polytechnic and Himansu Sahoo from Rourkela Govt ITI.
Speaking on the occasion, Naveen said, “Connectivity is key to development and it has been a focus area of our government. Direct connectivity with Dubai, which is one of the biggest aviation hubs, will open up a direct gateway to the world. Not only it will provide seamless connectivity but also it will have a huge multiplier effect on investment in Odisha in sectors like IT, manufacturing and tourism. This is the aspiration of New Odisha and I am very happy to open ticket sales for the Dubai Flight.”
He also thanked the Central government, especially Union Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia, for facilitating the direct flight services.
Indigo Airlines has recently won the bid to operate direct flights to these three important gateways. As per the agreement, the Airlines will operate direct flight from Bhubaneswar thrice a week. The inaugural prices of the tickets begin at ₹10,000 for single side journey and ₹20,000 for round trip.
Minister Tukuni Sahoo, principal secretary Usha Padhee, Secretary to CM (5T) VK Pandian, Chief Secretary, Development Commissioner and other senior officers, airport officers and Indigo officials were present.
