MRO facility, international flights, and regional airstrips elevate Odisha’s air ecosystem

Bhubaneswar, July 21: Odisha is undergoing a remarkable transformation in the civil aviation sector, driven by the state’s visionary New Destination Policy, spearheaded by the Commerce & Transport Department. This policy focuses on boosting regional and international air connectivity by offering structured incentives, route support, and assistance to airlines.

A major highlight is the establishment of the state’s first Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Bhubaneswar, signaling a strategic leap toward building aviation-linked economic ecosystems.

Under this policy, 13 new international and domestic flight routes have been operationalized in record time. Direct flights from Bhubaneswar to Dubai and Abu Dhabi have expanded Odisha’s global footprint, while domestic routes like Jharsuguda–Mumbai, Bhubaneswar–Goa, and Bhubaneswar–Port Blair have improved access to tribal areas, industrial zones, and tourist destinations.

Regional connectivity has been further enhanced by the operationalisation of airstrips at Jeypore, Rourkela, Utkela, and Rangeilunda under the UDAN scheme. Meanwhile, the Puri Airport project has reached a key milestone with the launch of the Colour Coded Zoning Map (CCZM) on NOCAS 2.0, streamlining infrastructure planning with safety and environmental norms.

Odisha’s aviation roadmap, with an eye on sustainability and inclusivity, is propelling the state towards becoming a future-ready aviation hub aligned with the Vision 2036 for Viksit Odisha.