Today: 7 May 2025
16 May 2023
2 mins read

Maiden Bhubaneshwar-Dubai flight flagged off

The chief minister emphasised that May 15 marks a new chapter scripted in Odisha’s stride towards global connectivity….reports Asian Lite News

Chief Minister of the Indian State of Odisha Naveen Patnaik flagged off the maiden flight from Bhubaneswar to Dubai on Monday at the Biju Patnaik International Airport.

Highlighting the benefits of aligning Odisha with a global travel junction such as Dubai, Patnaik 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 a gateway to the European and the US markets.

The chief minister emphasised that May 15 marks a new chapter scripted in Odisha’s stride towards global connectivity.

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 CM at Naveen Nivas earlier in the day, boarded the flight with the rest of the travellers who had booked their tickets after the ticket sale went live on Utkal Dibasa on April 1, a release said.

A total of 170 people including the aircraft crew travelled on this maiden flight from Bhubaneswar to Dubai.

Special arrangements were made to see off the travellers from Odisha. The flyers were felicitated with Uttariya, Odisha Tourism kit bag and offered sweets and flowers by the hostesses at the departure terminal.

Meanwhile, the travellers who arrived via the 1st direct flight from Dubai to Bhubaneswar were given a warm welcome in the presence of Minister of Tourism & OLLC Aswini Kumar Patra and Minister of Commerce & Transport, Tukuni Sahu.

It is pertinent to note that the CM 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, said a release. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Iran, Egypt to restore relations soon

Previous Story

UAE President receives Saudi King’s invite to Arab Summit

Next Story

UAE vows commitment to Arab unity for economic stability

Latest from -Top News

India Strikes Terror Bases in Pakistan

‘Justice is served’, says Indian Army as Operation Sindoor unfolds In a significant military response to the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 civilian lives, the Indian Army on Wednesday

UAE Reopens Doors to Lebanon

The prime minister expressed Lebanon’s “utmost gratitude and appreciation to the UAE” and President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan….reports Asian Lite News Lebanon welcomed the decision by the United Arab Emirates

SYRIA RAIDS: Arab League Slams Israel

The Arab League condemned the airstrikes and called on the international community and the United Nations to confront what it described as “repeated violations committed by Israel against the Syrian state.” The

India Rises, Africa Watches 

While struggling economies in Africa engulf themselves in ideological battles and take sides in the tariff battles, nations like India are placing their national interest first and navigating Global Trade challenges in

WAVES 2025: Jaishankar Advocates Cultural Pluralism

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar delivered a powerful address at the WAVES 2025 Global Media Dialogue, highlighting the significance of cultural pluralism in shaping global change. Speaking on the second day of
Go toTop

Don't Miss

EDGE Receives UAV Orders From UAE

The order to supply 100 REACH-S is the first of

Meet Aisha Al Mansoori, UAE’s first female Emirati captain

The command upgrade ceremony took place at Etihad’s Crew Briefing