Odisha new flight routes have been approved by the state government to improve air travel, support tourism, and strengthen regional connectivity. The decision was taken at a high-level committee meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Anu Garg.
The new plan will connect Bhubaneswar and Jharsuguda with several important cities across India. These include Ahmedabad, Pune, Jaipur, Bhopal, Shirdi, Tirupati, Surat, Puri, Kolkata, and Ujjain. Officials said the routes are likely to be operated by Star Air using smaller aircraft.
The state government wants to make air travel easier for passengers while also helping tourism and business. By adding these new routes, Odisha aims to connect its major airports with popular religious, business, and travel destinations.
#୧୦_ନୂଆ_ରୁଟ୍ରେ_ଉଡ଼ିବ_ବିମାନ
ଓଡ଼ିଶା ବିମାନ ଚଳାଚଳ କ୍ଷେତ୍ରରେ ଯୋଡ଼ି ହେବ ନୂଆ ଅଧ୍ୟାୟ । ୧୦ ନୂଆ ରୁଟ୍ରେ ଉଡ଼ିବ ବିମାନ । ମୁଖ୍ୟ ଶାସନ ସଚିବଙ୍କ ଅଧ୍ୟକ୍ଷତା ବୈଠକରେ ଗୁରୁତ୍ୱପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ନିଷ୍ପତ୍ତି । ପୁରୀରେ ପ୍ରସ୍ତାବିତ ବିମାନ ବନ୍ଦର ଲାଗି ଆଲୋଚନା ପାଇଁ ନିଷ୍ପତ୍ତି #Flight #Odisha #KanakNews pic.twitter.com/oKSdcfE7rM— Kanak News (@kanak_news) April 21, 2026
Cities like Tirupati, Shirdi, and Ujjain are important pilgrimage centres, while Surat, Ahmedabad, Pune, and Bhopal are major commercial cities. Better flight connections may help tourists, traders, and regular passengers travel more easily.
Along with the new routes, Odisha is also working on aviation infrastructure. The government discussed plans to upgrade airstrips at Satibhata, Jamadarpalli, Raisuan, Amarda Road, and Gotma.
These projects will be developed under the B-MAAN scheme, which stands for Building and Management of Aviation Assets and Network. The Odisha cabinet has already approved crore for the scheme for 2025–30. Out of this, more than crore has been approved for airstrip development.
The government is also developing heliports in districts that still lack proper air connectivity. These include Nabarangpur, Phulbani, and Taratarini.
At the same time, expansion work is being planned or accelerated for airports in Jeypore, Tusura, Jharsuguda, and Rourkela. Officials said land transfer for the expansion of Jharsuguda and Rourkela airports is expected to be completed by May 2026.
Another major decision is to speed up discussions with the central government for the construction of the Shree Jagannath International Airport in Puri. This airport is expected to play a key role in boosting religious tourism in Odisha.
The committee also stressed the need to operationalise the Malkangiri airport and develop the Biju Patnaik Aviation Centre at Birasal in Dhenkanal district.
To support the aviation sector, the committee decided to review the Odisha Civil Aviation Policy 2022 and prepare its second version. This updated policy will be placed before the state cabinet for approval.
Officials have also been asked to prepare a proposal to reduce VAT on aviation fuel. This step may encourage more airline operations in Odisha and make air travel services more attractive for operators.
The approval of these 10 new routes shows that Odisha is taking strong steps to improve its aviation network. With new flights, upgraded airstrips, heliports, and airport expansion, the state is trying to create better travel options for people and open new opportunities for tourism, trade, and regional development.
If implemented on time, these measures can significantly improve connectivity between Odisha and major cities across India.
