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A flight service between Visakhapatnam International Airport and Malkangiri in Odisha over the Eastern Ghats is on the cards. Currently, pre-operational arrangements have been initiated to operate a nine-seater jet from operator IndiaOne. If everything goes well as per the plans of the stakeholders, people, especially Odisha-based residents in the city, and tourists, can access a faster mode of transport from Andhra’s coastal city to Malkangiri.
It will also be useful for logistical supplies of government authorities like police and medical & health in emergencies as Malkangiri is a Naxal-affected area on the Andhra-Odisha Border.
The authorities had planned to start the flight in January, 2025. But it is likely to take some more time.
Confirming the proposal for a flight between Visakhapatnam and Malkangiri, Visakhapatnam Airport Director S. Raja Reddy said, “Yes, we have received a flight proposal from operator IndiaOne. The service is scheduled to open in 2025 if everything is approved.”
The IndiaOne is also working to operate the flight at the earliest, but the airport at Malkangiri is not yet fully operational for commercial flights (non-scheduled flights), said a reliable source. Currently, IndiaOne operates a nine-seater jet between Visakhapatnam and Jaipur (Odisha) and it is enjoying a good occupancy rate, sources added.
Speaking to The Hindu, Malkangiri Collector Ashish Iswar Patil said that the Malkangiri airport, which was formally opened in January 2024, is presently operating non-scheduled flights such as the Ministers or if any emergency services, but not for scheduled flights like those carrying regular passengers. “We are currently taking up the infrastructure development of the airport, and tenders have also been floated. It is too early to estimate when the airport will be ready for scheduled flights. Services between Visakhapatnam-Malkangiri are a welcome addition to the district. However, the service will be decided by the higher authorities at the State-level,” Mr. Patil said.
On the other hand, Utkal Sankrutika Samaj senior executive member Arun Das from Visakhapatnam said that Malkangiri is the district headquarters and has bus facilities from Visakhapatnam, but there are no direct train services from the city. The operation of flight services between Visakhapatnam and Malkangiri is welcome benefitting Odias who come to Visakhapatnam for educational and medical services apart from as tourists.
Andhra Pradesh Air Travellers Association representative O. Naresh Kumar said, “We welcome the flight to Malkangiri from Visakhapatnam.”
Published – December 22, 2024 08:34 am IST