The Civil Aviation has been bringing about much needed connectivity not just in the inter-state sector but also in the regional one.
Flight Route & Time:
On the 31st of August, a 9-seater IndiaOne Airline’s flight started its maiden journey from Buji Patnaik Airport (BPIA) in Bhubaneshwar at 7:15 AM and landed at Utkela Airport by 8:25 AM. The return leg of the journey was undertaken by the same flight from Utkela at 8:50 AM and landed at Bhubaneshwar at 10 AM.
Built with an investment of INR 31.07 crores, and post approval from DGCA, the Utkela Airport was inaugurated by the Minister of Civil aviation and Minister of State (MoS) for Civil Aviation, Jyotiraditya M Scindia and Vijay Kumar Singh (Rtd.) respectively.
Direct regional connectivity that holds immense potential for regional growth and development has been the central scheme for proposing and completing the Utkela-Bhubaneshwar flight route.
Starting now, IndiaOne will operate flights on the specified route. The airline will utilize the 9-seater Cessna C-208 aircraft approved under the UDAN scheme and will adhere to the provided departure and landing schedules.
The Utkela Airport, owned by the Government of Odisha, marks a significant addition to the state's aviation infrastructure. Developed as a regional airport under the UDAN scheme, it proudly features a 917-meter-long runway (2995 ft.) with a width of 30 meters.
With the recent DGCA approval for flight operations received on August 7th, the introduction of this airport now brings the total number of airports in the state to five. Notably, the airport's airstrip, a legacy dating back to 1962, is conveniently situated just 20 kilometers from the district headquarters in Bhawanipatna, further emphasizing its strategic importance in enhancing local accessibility and connectivity.
During his inaugural speech, Scindia underscored the transformative impact of the Utkela to Bhubaneshwar connectivity. This newly established flight route dramatically reduces travel time from nearly 8 hours by road to a mere one hour and twenty minutes by flight. This development not only strengthens regional connectivity but also contributes significantly to boosting economic activity and generating employment opportunities in the Kalahandi region.
Now waiting to see what more the Ministry of Civil Aviation has in store to ease connectivity between other less accessible places!
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