Omicron Fears: No Scheduled Flights By Foreign Airlines To BPIA In Coming Days, Says Odisha Airport Director

Bhubaneswar: As Omicron worries spread and India tightens rules for international flyers arriving from ‘at risk’ countries, Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) Director Pravat Ranjan Beuria on Monday said there was no reason to worry as no foreign airline was operating scheduled flights to Bhubaneswar now, banned because of COVID.

Beuria said that even if the Centre allows international flights from December 15, no foreign airline has proposed to resume flights to Bhubaneswar in the next one month, so there was no need for screening and testing here.

“When foreign airlines will be allowed to operate to Bhubaneswar, we will approach the Odisha government for screening and testing passengers,” he said.

Beuria said that right now, only non-scheduled flights were arriving at BPIA but he made it clear that non-scheduled flights from ‘at risk’ countries won’t be allowed to land in the state.

On Sunday, the Centre tightened rules for international passengers, mandating submission of 14 days’ travel history and self-declaration form on online Air Suvidha portal.

They also have to upload a negative RT-PCR test report conducted within 72 hours prior to journey. The revised guidelines come into effect from December 1.