Jharsuguda Airport Row: Civil Aviation Ministry issues notice to Air Odisha

ONI Bureau: After the media took up the matter and locals led by Jharsuguda MLA Naba Das held dharna inside the newly inaugurated Jharsuguda Airport in Odisha, the Civil Aviation Ministry has issued notices to Air Odisha for discontinuing their operations quoting technical reasons.

The Ministry confirmed that Jharsuguda Airport is a full fledged functional airport and available for all domestic scheduled & non-scheduled operations.

“Non commencement within prescribed period would lead for cancellation of current award. Routes would be opened for bidding & allocated to eligible Airlines for better connectivity,” the Ministry warned Air Odisha.

Air Odisha is in charge of flight operations in Jharsuguda under Udey Desh ka Aam Nagarik (UDAN) scheme. The Jharsuguda Airport was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 22. Air Odisha has suspended the operation on October 7 citing technical reasons, which is yet to resume.