In an apparent move to attract international flight operators, the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) authorities have decided to keep the airport open round the clock from September 1.
“The Ministry of Civil Aviation has already given permission for day and night operation of the airport,” said BPIA Director R Mahalingam.
He said a tight security system would be in place, and shops and all other facilities would remain open all the time. Now, two terminals are in use and as many as 20 flights are operating from the airport to New Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
It may be noted that despite many efforts made by the State Government and the Centre, international flight operators are yet to turn up to introduce flights from the BPIA.