Civil Aviation Ministry to Hold Discussion with Major Airlines on Odisha’s Aviation Potential

Bhubaneswar: The Union Ministry of Civil Aviation announced that it would hold a meeting with CEOs of major airlines here to discuss about Odisha’s aviation potential.

A direction in this regard was issued by Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri after getting a letter from Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who sought operation of more international flights from the State.

“In line with Ministry’s approach of ensuring optimum connectivity in each and every state, steps are being taken for Odisha as well,” the Ministry said in a Tweet.

The date for the meeting would be fixed soon, an official at the Ministry said.

Recently, the Odisha Chief Minister had written a letter to the Union Minister Puri and invited him as well as the CEOs of major airlines for an exposure trip to Odisha.

Noting that the State would get an opportunity to present, in detail, its potentials and explain the viability of Bhubaneswar as a favoured international destination, Patnaik said the State Government would provide necessary support for developing the infrastructure for aviation.

In his letter, Patnaik also mentioned that the State would also consider incentives in the form of Viability Gap Funding (VGF) for the airline operations.