Bhubaneswar: After Jharsuguda, it’s time for the state to get a third airport. The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Monday gave regulatory approval for Rourkela airport.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued license for third airport of Odhisa on 7/1/19 for Rourkela; also known to be the industrial capital of the state of #Odhisa. It will pave opportunities to connect the steel city with rest of the nation. #SabUdenSabJuden
— Ministry of Civil Aviation (@MoCA_GoI) January 7, 2019
According to sources, the existing airstrip at Rourkela, owned by Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), will be made ready for commercial flights. The Airport Authority of India (AAI) had signed an MoU with SAIL in May last year for operation and management of the airstrip. It was earlier marked suitable for UDAN flights.
As announced by AAI previously, Odisha is expected to get licence for airports in Jeypore (Koraput) and Utkela (Kalahandi), apart from Rourkela, in 2019.