Bhubaneswar: IndiGo will begin offering a direct route to Dubai on May 15 at the Bhubaneswar airport, according to officials.
On Saturday, in honour of Utkal Dibasa, Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik launched selling airline tickets.
IndiGo will operate the service thrice a week -- Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The inaugural ticket price is ₹ 10,000 per sector, an official said.
"Connectivity is the key to development and it has been a focus area of our government. Direct connectivity with Dubai, which is one of the biggest aviation hubs, will open up a gateway to the world," Mr Patnaik said.
The flight service will have a huge multiplier effect on investment in Odisha in sectors like IT, manufacturing and tourism, he said.
IndiGo's Head of Global Sales Vinay Malhotra said the airline has been at the forefront of enhancing international connectivity at affordable fares.
Soon, flights to Singapore and Bangkok will also commence, an official said.
Thanking Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia for facilitating the services, Mr Patnaik said a large delegation from the state will travel on the first flight to Dubai.
With PTI inputs