Odisha Plans New Flights from Bhubaneswar to Tirupati, Surat, Bhopal & Shirdi
The Odisha government has announced plans to introduce new direct flights from Bhubaneswar to Tirupati, Surat, Bhopal, and Shirdi, aiming to strengthen regional and national connectivity.
The routes are expected to be operated by regional carriers using 70‑seater aircraft, catering to both business and pilgrimage travel.
Officials highlighted that Tirupati and Shirdi are major pilgrimage destinations, while Surat serves as a commercial hub and Bhopal enhances central India’s links.
The move comes at a time when Bhubaneswar has lost several domestic and international routes, including Indore, Jaipur, Lucknow, Goa, Kochi, Port Blair, Dubai, and Singapore.
Currently, Bangkok remains the only direct international destination.
The suspension of these routes has reduced daily passenger traffic by 1,200–1,500 travellers.
Even with the new flights, officials anticipate a shortfall of 700–800 passengers per day.
Despite these challenges, Biju Patnaik International Airport crossed the milestone of 50 lakh annual passengers in November, with monthly traffic averaging over 4 lakh.
The new routes are expected to revive passenger numbers, boost tourism, and reinforce Bhubaneswar’s role as a growing aviation hub in eastern India.
