The Union Civil Aviation Ministry has denied giving ‘route permission’ to Gulf-based ‘Fly Dubai’, an operator which had sought to resume flight operation from the Biju Patnaik International Airport here. Even a few days ago, the Chief Secretary here had urged the Centre for giving nod to the flight operator.
Despite efforts from the Fly Dubai and the State Government, the Union Civil Aviation Ministry did not allow the low cost airline to begin flights, disappointing the people here.
Due to some issues with the Bilateral Air Services Agreement between India and Dubai, the airline was not given permission for operations from the airport, said Biju Patnaik International Airport Director Sharad Kumar.
Sources said, on July 14 this year, the airline had requested the Union Civil Aviation Ministry to consider its case for Bhubaneswar as a point of call in the Bilateral Air Services Agreement as the capital city is not included in the pact.