Jharsuguda: Air connectivity from Veer Surendra Sai Airport in Jharsuguda has suffered a setback with IndiGo suspending its direct Mumbai service until October and reducing the frequency of flights to Bengaluru from seven days a week to four.
The move has disrupted travel plans for passengers from western Odisha and neighbouring Chhattisgarh, who depend on the airport for direct connectivity to major commercial and IT hubs.
According to airport sources, the airline has cited operational challenges linked to global supply chain disruptions and rising aviation turbine fuel (ATF) costs. Airport officials said the suspension of the Mumbai service is expected to continue until the winter flight schedule comes into effect in October, when the airline may review and restore operations.
While IndiGo continues to operate flights from Jharsuguda to other destinations, the reduction in services to Mumbai and Bengaluru has caused inconvenience to business travellers and professionals, many of whom will now have to travel via Bhubaneswar or Rourkela to access connecting flights.
Passengers expressed concern over the additional travel time and costs resulting from the changes and urged authorities to facilitate the restoration of the suspended services at the earliest.
Airport authorities said discussions are underway with the airline, expressing hope that normal operations will resume with the winter schedule in October.
