The long-standing demand of the State to get international flight operations at the city airport is all set to be fulfilled with two international aviation companies, Fly Dubai and Air Asia, deciding to start operations soon. The dry run for the same will be conduced in the first week of March.
A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting held under chairmanship of Chief Secretary Jugal Kishore Mohapatra at the State Secretariat. Home Secretary Vipin Saxena and Civil Aviation Director Premananda Khuntia made elaborate discussions at the meeting.
Following the decision, Mohapatra asked Director of the Biju Patnaik Airport Sharad Kumar to expedite the process for getting flight schedule approvals from the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
An official Press release revealed that Fly Dubai and Air Asia have already given their schedule for the flight operations form here. While Fly Dubai will carry on operations from Bhubaneswar to Dubai, the Air Asia will persist operations to Kualalumpur.
The issues relating to manpower requirement and their training were also discussed at the meeting. It was decided that the staff will be provided one week training at Kolkata International Airport in February. It was also decided that the software and necessary connectivity will also be put in place at airport during the current month.
Among others, Health and Family Welfare Secretary PK Mohapatra, Secretary Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Secretary Bishnupada Sethy, GA Special Secretary Niten Chandra and DGP Sanjeeb Marik were
present.