Parliament Question: International flights from Bhubaneswar, Odisha

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1803 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9th March 2026 INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS FROM BHUBANESWAR, ODISHA 1803. SHRI MUZIBULLA KHAN Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:- (a) whether Government proposes to introduce more international flights from Biju Patnaik International airport, Bhubaneswar; (b) the present international routes connected from the State of Odisha; (c) measures to improve global tourism through Odisha's airports; (d) whether the airport is being upgraded with world-class facilities; and (e) the steps taken to attract international airlines to operate from Bhubaneswar? ANSWER Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar Mohol) (a) to (e): International operations of airlines are governed by the bilateral Air Services Agreement (ASA) between India and the respective countries. In accordance with the ASAs, Indian designated carriers are free to mount operations to/from any point including Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar to foreign destinations as per mutually agreed capacity limits, while any designated foreign airline can operate to/from a point in India if it is designated as a point of call in the ASA. Presently, Biju Patnaik International Airport has direct flight connectivity with Dubai, Bangkok and Singapore. To improve global tourism and to attract more international airlines, Bhubaneswar has been included among the 18 tourist destinations in India from where Indian carriers, as well as carriers from ASEAN and SAARC countries (excluding Pakistan and Afghanistan), are permitted to operate unlimited air services. Expansion/upgradation of airports is a continuous process. Airports Authority of India has initiated steps for construction of New Terminal Building at Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar. The commencement of direct international flights from any point in India is purely a commercial decision of scheduled airlines, based on passenger demand, slot availability, route viability, and other related factors. The Government provides an enabling environment for growth of civil aviation sector but does not interfere in the operational plans of the airlines. ******