Air India to operate international flight from Odisha

National flag carrier Air India will operate its international flight from Biju Patnaik Airport in Bhubaneswar by July, it was announced on Saturday.

The airline will operate a flight from Bhubaneswar to Abu Dhabi in the UAE via Hyderabad.

"...it has been decided to start operation of international flights from Biju Patnaik Airport. Air India will commence international operations before July 10," said Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Meanwhile, the Odisha government decided to double tourist footfalls to about 2 crore which are at present about 1 crore per annum.

"Tourist arrivals in the state increased by 12 per cent in 2014 compared to 2013.While the number was 98.66 lakh in 2013, it increased to 1.08 crore in 2014", said an official.