Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Shri G. M. Siddeshwara informed the Rajya Sabha today that Government plans to develope Jharsuguda Airport for operations of A320 type of aircraft. An MoU has been signed between State Government of Odisha and Airports Authority of India (AAI) on 30th July this year for acquisition and handing over of additional land and development of Jharsuguda Airport.

A team from Airports Authority of India inspected Jharsuguda, Berhampur and Jeypore airports and observed that the Jharsuguda (AAI airport) can be developed for operations of A-320 type of aircraft whereas Berhampur (State Government airport) can be developed for ATR-72-500 for which additional 267 acres of land is required. Jeypore (State Government airport) can be developed for ATR-72-500 for which additional 253 acres of land is required.

There are 26 airports in Odisha of which two airports belong to AAI, 21 airports belong to the State Government and one airport each belongs to IAF, ARC and SAIL. Bhubaneswar is the only operational airport of AAI in Odisha.