Sambalpur, Dec. 18: Air Odisha today conducted a successful trial flight run between Sambalpur and Bhubaneswar via Rourkela.

The flight took off from Bhubaneswar at 12noon and reached Rourkela at 1.10pm. From Rourkela again, the plane took off at 3pm to reach Sambalpur sharp at 3.35pm.

Alighting from the aircraft, Grand Cessna Caravan 208-B, at Jamadarpali airstrip around 10km away from Sambalpur, director of Air Odisha Aviation Private Limited Trideep Rout said: "The test flight was successful. Regular flight service between the two cities will begin by the end of this month."

"The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has already given the green signal for flight service between the two cities. Chief flight operations inspector Subodh Gangwani and deputy director of airworthyness at DGCA K.K. Majumdar were present during the proving flight visit today," said Rout.

He said: "Initially, a nine-seater aircraft will operate between the two cities. The ticket is expected to be priced between Rs 2,000 and Rs 2,500. A city office will be set up in Sambalpur for ticket booking. However, tickets will also be available online."

Another senior official said that the air service would be available for six days a week.

To begin with, there will be one flight daily between the two cities. There will be no flights on Sundays.

The distance of 275km between the two cities will be covered in an hour. However, the timing of the service is yet to be decided.

The government will provide all support, including security, fire tender and other required amenities, at the Jamadarpali airstrip for the flight service.

Hundreds of people gathered at the airstrip to be witness to the trial run here today.

Kunal Majumdar, a businessman, said: "The service will help in the development of this region. The absence of air service was being considered as barrier for the setting up of national-level educational institutions here. However, the problem will be resolved after the flight service begins between the two cities."

Those belonging to Sambalpur but working out of the state, have welcomed the trial run.

"Flight service between Sambalpur and Bhubaneswar is essential for us. We will now be able to come to our hometown facing much less hassles," said Prashant Sahu, who works for a bank in Kolkata.