The Odisha government has floated a request for quotation (RFQ) inviting aviation firms to run direct flights from Bhubaneswar to countries such as Dubai, Singapore and Bangkok.

The decline in Covid-19 cases has prompted Odisha to promote tourism in a big way but the lack of direct flights has come as a bottleneck. The state has already removed all Covid-related restrictions.

“The government of Odisha desires to have direct international flights from Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar, to foreign soil and is looking for interested scheduled air service carriers to start its air service beginning with international flights from Bhubaneswar to destinations like Dubai, Singapore and Bangkok on alternate days, including the weekends,” the state government said in the RFQ.

Officials said the last date for receiving applications is November 28.