Rourkela BJP MlA Dilip Ray has expressed happiness over the State Government’s decision to offer subsidies to international airlines in a bid to introduce direct international flights from the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA), Bhubaneswar.
“This bears tremendous significance at a time when the State is preparing a new tourism policy to attract more international tourists into the State. Footfall of international tourists has been abysmally low over the years, leading to low collection of revenue. The subsidies, to be provided as viability gap funding, is quite logical as it may not be financially feasible for international airlines to operate flights in amidst speculation about the density of the traffic,” said Ray.
The airlines have also been given the option to structure their flight schedules to enable more people travel to airports in Singapore from which all major flights to important cities take off, and back to Bhubaneswar at their convenience. The subsidy could also be availed by airliners that operate flights to South East Asian countries and who desire to stop at Bhubaneswar provided they reserve 30 per cent seats for Bhubaneswar bound and outbound passengers, added Ray.
Ray further said Direct flight between South East Asian countries like Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand would facilitate inflow of more tourists, especially to the Buddhist circuits in the State.
“The decision of the State Government is a timely one, and with a little Central Government cooperation, it would boost aviation sector in the State,” observed Ray.
The MlA said he would request Civil Aviation Minister to ask international carriers to take advantage of the incentives provided by the State Government and operate flights from the BPIA.c