Jharsuguda: Star Air is set to resume its direct flight service between Jharsuguda and Bhubaneswar from September 4, providing relief to passengers after the airline suspended operations on the route last week.
Veer Surendra Sai Airport director Upendra Nath Dhaundia confirmed the development, saying the airport has received the airline’s revised schedule.
“We have received the schedule from Star Air, according to which the airline will resume direct flight services between Jharsuguda and Bhubaneswar from September 4, 2026,” Dhaundia said.
Star Air had earlier announced suspension of its Hyderabad-Jharsuguda-Bhubaneswar service from August 17 to October 24, 2026, citing operational reasons.
Sources said the airline had informed the state government about the situation and sought a six-month extension of Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to sustain operations on the route. Rising Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices reportedly affected the service’s viability.
The suspension had triggered concern among residents, who demanded restoration of direct air connectivity between Jharsuguda and the state capital.
Jharsuguda MLA Tankadhar Tripathy had also taken up the issue with chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi and chief secretary Anu Garg, highlighting the importance of the route for people of Jharsuguda and western Odisha. Following the meeting, the chief minister had assured that efforts would be made for early restoration of the service.
At present, Indigo is the only airline operating regular flights from Veer Surendra Sai Airport, connecting Jharsuguda with Delhi, Kolkata and Bengaluru.
