AAI picks three sites for second greenfield airport near Bhubaneswar

Sites are within 20-25 km radius of Odisha capital; airport to be set up on 2,000 acres

To draw foreign fliers, the state government has already reduced Value Added Tax (VAT) on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) to zero for facilitating direct international flight operations. Despite this sop, the Biju Patnaik International Airport has failed to attract international operators other than AirAsia.

The Centre had accorded an international status to the Bhubaneswar airport in October 2013. The Biju Patnaik Airport that belongs to AAI is suitable for operation of Code 'D' aircraft of type B-767-400. The airport is also equipped with facilities for night operations, besides offering an apron area allowing the parking of six aircraft and navigational aids.