Indus Valley Times

Whole New World of Opportunities Opened For People

Will Promote Job Opportunities, Open Tourism Potential, Boost IT & ITES Sectors: CM Naveen Patnaik

By Sukanta Kumar Mohanty

Bhubaneswar, May 3:  Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik on May 3 opened the air ticketing to Singapore and Bangkok facilitating people of Odisha travelling to these south-east Asian cities at a fair price.

With this, Odisha is now a pioneer and first in the country to support and commence the international air connectivity in the interest of the public. Indigo airlines will commence direct international flights to Singapore as well as Bangkok from 3rd June, 2023. Earlier, direct flights ticketing was launched by the Chief Minister to Dubai which will start from May 15.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister Shri Patnaik said that the initiative will promote job opportunities for the youth of Odisha, open up tourism potential of the state and provide boost to IT and ITES sectors in the State.

He said that it is a momentous occasion for all of us today as Indigo opens ticketing to Singapore & Bangkok from Bhubaneswar. Recently, I had also inaugurated the ticketing to Dubai. With this, Odisha is now connected to the top cosmopolitan Asian cities– opening a whole new world of opportunities for our people.

He further said that in last few years, the aviation traffic in Odisha has seen immense growth. Though the domestic flight connectivity has seen a noticeable improvement, Odisha Government has come forward to make sizeable contribution to ensure direct international flight connectivity between Bhubaneswar and world-class destinations to meet the people’s aspirations, he added.

 He hoped that these international flights would provide tourists more convenience and affordable travel options while also encouraging trade & tourism.

He thanked the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India and Indigo Airlines for the support.

Chief Secretary Shri PK Jena, Secretary to CM 5T Shri V.K. Pandian, Senior Officers of Govt. of Odisha, and officials from Indigo was present.

Principal Secretary Commerce and transport Smt. Usha Padhee gave the welcome address.

It may be recalled here that in the current year budget, Govt. of Odisha has made the budget of Rs. 100 crore to support the viability gap funding. Due to such support, international travelling has become affordable for every passenger travelling from Odisha. It is to inform that, online reservations for Indigo’s initial flights from Bhubaneswar to Dubai have received an incredibly encouraging response. These flights are beginning from 15th May, 2023.

Singapore & Bangkok will be the threshold to the entire south-eastern Asian region while connectivity to Dubai will open the gateway to the Gulf, Europe, and Western countries making world tour accessible, convenient & affordable for the people of Odisha. It is well recognized that aviation sector has a multiplier effect on the local economy and growth. International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) study shows that the air connectivity has an economic multiplier of 3.1 and employment multiplier of 6.1.

Odisha is endowed with natural resources and forestry.  The state capital is just 2 to 2.5 hours flying distant from all major cities of the country. Odisha’s progressive governance driven by a stable government over the past two decades has been advantageous for the people’s aspirations. The state’s rich legacy on maritime trade and cultural exchange are reflected in several societies and geographies globally. The state’s GSDP is steadily growing faster than the national GDP. Lately, the Happy Plus survey has assessed Odisha as the 3rd Happiest State in India. Additionally, the Odia Diaspora in the Gulf countries and East Asian countries are flourishing.

Hence, to meet the people’s aspirations, the Government of Odisha has come forward to make sizeable contribution to make the direct international flight operations viable between Bhubaneswar and the international destinations namely Dubai, Singapore & Bangkok.

The flight details are as below:

Bhubaneswar-Dubai route

Departure Airport & local time  Arrival Airport         Weekly days of operation           Travel Time            Starting Fare *

Bhubaneswar

@ 18:30 hrs Dubai Monday, Wednesday & Friday  4:45 hrs        Rs. 10,000/-

(One way) &

Rs. 20,000/-

(Round trip)

Dubai

@ 11:25 hrs Bhubaneswar                      4:25 hrs       

In its second phase, the same airline will commence direct international flights to Singapore as well as Bangkok from 3rd June, 2023 establishing the networking to connect Odisha to the rest of the world. The flight details are as below:

Bhubaneswar-Singapore route

Departure Airport & local time  Arrival Airport         Weekly days of operation           Travel Time            Starting Fare *

Bhubaneswar

@ 06:25 hrs Singapore     Tuesday & Saturday    4:10 hrs  Rs. 7,500/-(One way) &Rs. 15,000/-(Round trip)

Singapore

@ 14:10 hrs Bhubaneswar   Tuesday & Saturday  4:10 hrs   Bhubaneswar-Bangkok route

Departure Airport & local time  Arrival Airport         Weekly days of operation           Travel Time            Starting Fare *

Bhubaneswar

@ 16:50 hrs Bangkok        Tuesday & Saturday   2:50 hrs  Rs. 7,500/-(One way) & Rs. 15,000/- (Round trip)

 Bangkok

@ 05:35 hrs Bhubaneswar          Wednesday & Sunday      2:50 hrs