Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, May 1, 2015 :

The state government had earlier reduced the VAT on ATF from 20 percent to 5 percent.

Despite prolonged persuasion to the international airlines to bring Bhubaneswar airport in their map, there is not a single international airline flying to and from the airport here, which was accorded international status on October 30, 2013. No some 20 airlines are operating their flights from the airport to seven destinations in the country only.

Meanwhile, the airport has resgistered an impressive growth with the number of passengers shooting up to 15 lakh.

Director of Biju Patnaik International Airport Sharad Kumar said the chief secretary, in a recent meeting, had asked the airport authority not to charge VAT on ATF of any international airlines. ‘This is indeed an encouraging step,” he said.

Air India already has expressed its willingness to extend the services of its Bhubaneswar-Mumbai flight to Dubai. Besides, talks are on for extension of services of Bhubaneswar-Kolkata Indigo flight to Bangkok, Kumar said.

“Besides, the airport authorities are in talks with Jet Airways to launch international operations from the Biju Patnaik International Airport,” he said, adding that the ABC Airways has agreed to commence operations of its Fly Easy flights connecting Bhubaneswar and Bengaluru from June.

The Tours and Travels Association has also welcomed the decision of the state government in this regard.

“The decision of the state government will motivate the international airlines to operate their flights from Bhubaneswar. With the world-famous Nabakelabara festival in Puri scheduled in June, we expect a massive football of foreign tourists to Odisha as the state government has opened the door for the international airlines,” chairman, Tours and Travels Association, Benjamin Simon told Bizodisha.