SAIL to facilitate commercial operations at Rourkela Airport

     Raipur, October 29, 2022: The Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) has signed an Operation and Management (O & M) contract with the Airport Authority of India (AAI), through its Rourkela Steel Plant, to facilitate the commencement of commercial flights from Rourkela in Odisha close to Chhattisgarh.

     SAIL, in 2018, had signed a MOU for the use of its own airport, under the UDAN scheme, for the operation of commercial flights. Now, SAIL has signed at New Delhi the O&M contract with AAI, through its Rourkela Steel Plant, to facilitate the commencement of commercial flights from Rourkela.

     The Ministry of Civil Aviation has provided financial support for the upgradation of this airport.

     The government of Odisha will provide the security, fire, and ambulance services, besides helping with other local clearances. AAI, on behalf of SAIL-Rourkela Steel Plant, will operate and manage the airport, the sources said.

     The airport will provide relief to all air travellers from the industrial town of Rourkela and the surrounding areas.

     The commencement of air services is also important in view of the forthcoming Hockey World Cup, where 20 out of the total 44 matches are being held at Rourkela in January 2023.

     This global event will witness a huge footfall in Rourkela during the period and the requirement for air connectivity to the city will be a major necessity for logistical reasons.