Air Odisha’s maiden flight lands in Jharsuguda, Rourkela

Rourkela: Today will be etched in the memory of the people in Jharsuguda and Rourkela as the maiden trial flight of Air Odisha landed here safely in the air-strips of both these places braving a cloudy and rainy weather. This flight that started from Bhubanewar Airport, took around an hour and 10 minutes to land at Jharsuguda due to bad weather, said company’s CMD R K Pani who was present in this inaugural function.

Speaking at the inaugural function organized here, CMD of Air Odisha, R K Pani, said that this flight of Cessna Grand Caravan-208B Aircraft is being operated by Air Odisha in association with Ventura Air Connect. The aircraft, originally a 2-pilot and 12-seater one, has been modified to 9-seater to provide the passengers a better comfortability, Pani added. “Passengers would definitely enjoy their journey while flying by this aircraft. Air Odisha has tied up with ‘Sourya Aviation’ and ‘Pinnacle Air’ for maintenance purpose”, he informed.

He added that Air Odisha also provides Air Charter service and Air Ambulance service at a reasonable cost to the intending customers with 24 hours prior request for the charter services along with chopper facilities.

Jharsuguda SP, K S Kanwar, who was present in this trial flight from Bhubaneswar, said that the services would be beneficial for the locals and officials of the corporate houses in the district.

Jogendra Behera, Ex-MLA of Titlagarh, who had boarded the flight from Bhubaneswar along with Air Odisha CMD landed in Jharsuguda, inaugurated this service in presence of officials of various industrial houses including TRL, Vedanta Aluminium, etc. Jharsuguda Collector Bishnu Prasad Sahoo was also present.

Though the company failed to attract more customers during this inaugural flight service, they managed to have one passenger for Bhubaneswar and two for Rourkela while the Company is claiming to have fixed a reasonable price for fare.

The fare from Bhubaneswar to Jharsuguda is Rs. 5499; Jharsuguda to Rourkela is Rs. 1799, Rourkela to Bhubaneswar is Rs. 5499, while Bhubaneswar to Raipur and vice-versa is Rs. 7499.

Subrat Das Mohapatra, Consultant of Air Odisha said, “As per the first phase operation schedule, Jharsuguda, Rourkela and Raipur have been connected. After inauguration of this project today, the aircraft would fly twice to each of the above three destinations. However, flight operations to Raipur will be started from October 9, 2012.

Co-operation of the members of Rourkela Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other sectors has made the flight operation to Jharsuguda and Rourkela by Air Odisha possible, said Pani. Later, at 4 pm the Air Odisha on its maiden flight, landed at the air strip of Rourkela. ADM Rourkela R N Mishra was also present.

It is to be noted that Air Odisha is a Bhubaneswar based Aviation Organisation which has been endeavoring for last two and half years to provide air connectivity to the hinter land of Odisha in order to boost tourism in the state. It is managed by a board of Directors constituted under Companies act which is headed by CMD R K Pani.