Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik Flags off Maiden Flight from Bhubaneswar to Dubai
By B Maharana
Bhubaneswar, May 15
With global connectivity being the development focus, Chief Minister NaveenPatnaik flagged off the maiden flight from Bhubaneswar to Dubai at the Biju Patnaik International Airport Monday.
A total of 170 people including the aircraft crew travelled on this maiden flightfrom Bhubaneswar to Dubai.
Special arrangements were made to see off the travelers from Odisha. The flyers were felicitated with Uttariya, Odisha Tourism kit bag and offered sweets andflowers by the hostesses at the departure terminal.
To mark the occasion, delegates from Odisha including leaders and members of Mission Shakti, delegations from the World Skill Centre, Special Development Council, Panchayati Raj and celebrated sportspersons, who were felicitated by the Chief Minister at Naveen Nivas earlier in the day, boarded the flight with the rest of the travelers who had booked their tickets after the ticket sale went live on Utkal Dibasa on 1st April 2023.
Flagging off the maiden flight to Dubai Patnaik highlighting the benefits of aligning Odisha with a global travel junction such as Dubai . He said that global connectivity is a key driver of overall developments – be it industrial development, facilitating investments, promoting tourism or establishing communication for the Odia Diaspora residing outside India.
Dubai is a major travel and tourism junction in the Middle East providing gatewayto the European and the US markets.The 15th day of May 2023 marks a new chapter scripted in Odisha’s stride towards global connectivity emphasized the CM.
Meanwhile, the travelers who arrived via the 1st direct flight from Dubai toBhubaneswar were given a warm welcome in presence of Minister Tourism &OLLC Shri Aswini Kumar Patra and Hon’ble Minister Commerce & Transport Smt.Tukuni Sahu.
Chief Minister made a commitment back in June 2022 during the Odisha Investors’ Meet held in Dubai to establish international flight connectivity between Odisha and Dubai in the first phase.
These flights, being operated by Indigo Airlines, will run thrice a week. Besides,the State Government has also worked towards establishing direct flight connectivity with the Southeast Asian markets through Singapore and Bangkok,with the commencement of these flights scheduled from early June 2023.