Jharsuguda: Direct flight services resumed from Veer Surendra Sai Airport in Jharsuguda this afternoon, with the arrival of two planes from budget carrier SpiceJet. The two planes were welcomed with the water cannon salute at the airport.
Later, the first commercial flight (an 189-seater) took off from Jharsuguda airport to New Delhi, whereas the second flight departed for Hyderabad. Official sources said the last flight is scheduled to leave for Kolkata from Jharsuguda at 8:40 PM.
Earlier, on February 9, a SpiceJet team visited Jharsuguda airport and conducted a detailed review of the infrastructure and other security-related aspects.
“It is a historic day for everybody as many efforts were made in this regard. A first major commercial flight will land at the airport and start services from Jharsuguda airport,” said Jharsuguda airport director SK Chauhan.
Bapi Mahanta, a local resident, said that once flight operations resume, the people of Western Odisha will benefit.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Jharsuguda airport on September 22, 2018, but flight services were stopped after the Union Civil Aviation Ministry canceled the license of Air Odisha, which was operating services from Jharsuguda to Raipur, in November last year on the charges of irregularities.
