Aviation in India: Jharsuguda Airport in Odisha gets licence for bigger flight operations

There is good news for western Odisha flyers. Jharsuguda Airport has received approval for running bigger planes like Airbus-320 and even Boeing 747s. The DGCA has given a 4-C category license to the airport for the landing and deparure of bigger flights. With this licence, Boeing and Airbus-320 planes can begin operations at the airport.

This development was announced by SK Chouhan, Director of the Airport. Earlier, the aviation regulator had granted 2-B category license to the airport for running smaller planes, according Odisha TV. Chouhan said he was still not sure about the exact date of inauguration of the airport.  According to the report, the state government on June 15 had written a letter to the Centre urging it to name the new airport after freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai.

However, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Jayant Sinha denied receiving any such proposal from the state government.  Naming of an airport is done after passing a resolution by the State Assembly but the state government has not sent any resolution, the Union Minister said.

The airport has been built under UDAN scheme at a cost of Rs 200 crore.