Bhubaneswar, April 1 -- In a bid to restore and expand air connectivity, the Odisha government is exploring plans to introduce flights to Tirupati, Surat, Bhopal, and Shirdi from Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) by partnering with a regional airline.

According to The Times of India report, the move comes at a time when flight services to 11 destinations, including two international routes, have been suspended, significantly affecting passenger traffic. Officials said a smaller aircraft, likely with a seating capacity of around 70, is being considered for these new routes.

"A regional carrier is under consideration, and discussions are underway. An agreement may be finalised soon with certain operational conditions. The frequenc...