Rourkela, Odisha – In a significant development for regional air connectivity, Alliance Air has resumed its scheduled flight operations to Rourkela, marking a new chapter for the industrial city that has long sought consistent air links to the rest of the country. The service, which operates on the crucial Rourkela-Bhubaneswar route, comes as a welcome move for business travelers and residents alike .
A Long-Awaited Return
The resumption of services by Alliance Air is a continuation of the airline’s commitment to the region under the government’s UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) regional connectivity scheme. The airline had initially launched ATR-72 services to Rourkela with much fanfare in January 2023, just ahead of the Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup, which the city co-hosted with Bhubaneswar . At that time, the inaugural flight was virtually launched by Union Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and flagged off by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The 72-seater aircraft received a ceremonial water cannon salute upon landing at Rourkela Airport .
Operational Details and Schedule
Alliance Air’s resumed services are currently operating on the Rourkela-Bhubaneswar sector. According to flight tracking data and schedules, the flight is operational on select days . Historical schedule data indicates that flight 9I746 has been scheduled to depart from Rourkela at various times, including 13:30 IST and 14:45 IST, with a flight time of approximately 55 minutes to an hour to Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar .
The service is primarily conducted using an ATR-72 aircraft, a type well-suited for short-haul regional routes . When initially launched in 2023, the fare for the Bhubaneswar-Rourkela sector was set at approximately Rs 2,830, with the return fare at Rs 2,721 .
Challenges and the Need for Consistency
While the resumption is a positive step, the Rourkela route has faced challenges in maintaining consistent operations. Previous reports highlighted that despite reportedly high seat occupancy, Alliance Air had temporarily discontinued services to Rourkela citing limited availability of ATR-72 aircraft . The airline has also faced criticism for frequent flight cancellations due to a tight flight schedule and visibility issues at Rourkela Airport, which operates as a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) facility .
The airport’s reliance on VFR means flights are subject to weather conditions, requiring at least five kilometers of visibility for safe landing. During the initial launch phase, Alliance Air’s CEO Vineet Sood had indicated that the Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP), which manages the airport, would need to equip the facility with an Instrumental Landing System (ILS) to enable landings in low visibility and adverse weather conditions .
Looking Ahead
The resumption of Alliance Air’s services is crucial for Rourkela, a major industrial hub in Odisha. Local business leaders and residents have long demanded better connectivity, including a morning flight from Bhubaneswar and a direct connection to Kolkata .
To address some of these needs and improve reliability, the Odisha government has already invited airline operators to run flights on the Rourkela-Kolkata and Bhubaneswar-Jharsuguda routes, seeking to supplement or replace existing services . The state government’s proactive stance underscores the strategic importance of Rourkela and the need for reliable air connectivity to support its economic growth and industrial development.
As of now, flight tracking data continues to show scheduled operations for Alliance Air flights to and from Rourkela, indicating a continued effort to maintain the service . For the people of Rourkela, the return of Alliance Air offers a promise of renewed connectivity, provided the challenges of fleet availability and airport infrastructure can be consistently addressed.