Jharsuguda: Star Air has suspended its Hyderabad-Jharsuguda-Bhubaneswar service from Monday till Oct 24, citing operational reasons, airport authorities confirmed. Sources said Star Air has informed the state govt about the suspension and sought an extension of viability gap funding (VGF) for another six months to sustain operations on the route. Rising aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices are learnt to have affected the service’s viability.The suspension assumes significance as the flight provided the only direct air link between Jharsuguda and Bhubaneswar, a long-pending demand of residents in western Odisha. At present, IndiGo is the sole carrier operating from Veer Surendra Sai Airport, with flights connecting Jharsuguda to Delhi, Kolkata and Bengaluru.The temporary withdrawal of the Bhubaneswar service is expected to inconvenience a large number of passengers. “Connectivity with Bhubaneswar is one of the most important requirements for western Odisha. The flight significantly reduced travel time, especially for patients and students. The govt should take immediate steps to facilitate the early resumption of the service,” said a resident of Jharsuguda.
