Dikhyaa Mohanty 
On January 9, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will open the Malkangiri airport. On Sunday, the airport successfully conducted a VT-100 flight trial run ahead of the inauguration. Personnel from Fire Services welcomed the first aircraft to Malkangiri airport with a water shower shortly after it landed. Nine-seater planes will operate out of the airport in the first phase, with larger aircraft being put into service later.
Malkangiri airport cost Rs 33 crore to build and is situated on 94.5 hectares of land. Malkangiri Airport is now operational thanks to technical support from the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) authorities in Bhubaneswar.
The region is anticipated to experience rapid development after the Malkangiri airport opens for business.
