The Government of Odisha is planning to expand air connectivity by introducing new domestic flight routes from Biju Patnaik International Airport to key cities including Tirupati, Surat, Bhopal, and Shirdi.
The move aims to restore connectivity and improve passenger travel options following the suspension of multiple domestic and international routes.
Regional Airline Likely to Operate Flights
Officials have indicated that a regional airline is being considered to operate these routes, with Star Air emerging as a strong contender.
The proposed flights are expected to use smaller aircraft with a seating capacity of around 70 passengers. Discussions are currently underway, and an agreement may be finalised soon, although flight frequency is yet to be decided.
Focus on Religious and Regional Connectivity
Among the planned destinations:
- Tirupati and Shirdi are major pilgrimage hubs, expected to see high demand from devotees.
- Bhopal will strengthen links with central India.
- Surat is a key commercial centre, boosting business travel opportunities.
Currently, many passengers rely on connecting flights via Hyderabad to reach Tirupati, highlighting the need for direct routes.
Decline in Connectivity Raises Concerns
The initiative comes amid a significant reduction in flight operations at Bhubaneswar. Services to several destinations—including domestic cities like Indore, Jaipur, Lucknow, Goa, Kochi, and Port Blair—have been discontinued.
On the international front, only Bangkok remains directly connected after flights to Dubai and Singapore were suspended.
The disruption has impacted passenger traffic, with an estimated daily drop of 1,200 to 1,500 passenges. Even with the introduction of new routes, officials expect a net shortfall of around 700 to 800 passengers per day.
Bhubaneswar Airport’s Growth Story
Despite recent setbacks, Biju Patnaik International Airport has shown strong growth in recent months. The airport crossed the 50 lakh annual passenger mark in November, with average monthly traffic exceeding 4 lakh passengers.
The proposed new flight routes are a strategic step towards improving Odisha’s air connectivity and boosting tourism, pilgrimage travel, and business mobility. While challenges remain due to route suspensions, these additions could help revive passenger traffic and strengthen Bhubaneswar’s position as a key regional aviation hub.
