Bhubaneswar, Jan 22: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik made efforts to persuade the Airline Operators to improve connectivity with Odisha during a meeting of Chief Executive Officers of different Airlines in the state capital today.

Officials said that that as many as 14 new flights  have been proposed to operate from Odisha during the meeting. .  The planned destinations are Kolkata-Jharsuguda, Bhubaneswar-Varanasi, Varanasi-Bhubaneswar, Jharsuguda-Mumbai, Prayagraj-Bhubaneswar, Delhi-Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneswar-Rourkela, Bhubaneswar-Kalaikunda, Bhubaneswar-Bangkok, Bangkok- Bhubaneswar, Singapore-Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneswar-Abu Dhabi. Officials said that most of the flights are scheduled to operate between January and this summer.

The Chief Minister asked the Government of India and the Airline Operators to introduce new flights for both domestic and international destinations and improve connectivity from Odisha.

“Odisha has witnessed rapid growth over the years and made its foothold strong in many areas including mining, manufacturing, tourism, culture, sports, education and IT.   In last few years, the aviation traffic in Odisha has seen immense growth.  Though the domestic flight connectivity has seen a noticeable improvement, there is greater scope for international connectivity,” said the CM.

Patnaik further requested the Ministry of Civil Aviation to introduce new connectivity from   Odisha to domestic destinations like Pune, Jaipur, Lucknow, Chennai, Vizag, Kochi and Ranchi.

“Similar is the demand for potential international hubs like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Colombo. I assure that the State Government will provide necessary support. The emergence of globetrotting middle-class has also resulted in rising overseas travel. Hence, introduction of more international flights from Bhubaneswar to the destinations like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, and Bangkok will provide convenience and comfort to the people of the State,” added the CM.