Dikhyaa Mohanty 
The Odisha Government on Wednesday signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) at Wings India 2026, Asia’s leading civil aviation exhibition being held at Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad, to bolster aviation training and infrastructure in the state.
Under the first agreement, signed with Alchemist Aviation, a Flying Training Organisation (FTO) will be set up at Dandbose Airport—also known as the Rairangpur airstrip—in Mayurbhanj district. The proposed facility, once operational, is expected to train around 50 pilots annually.
In another major initiative, Odisha partnered with BonV Aero to establish a dedicated UAV (drone) Training and Testing Centre at the Rangeilinda Airstrip in Berhampur. The first such facility in the state, it will have the capacity to train over 100 drone pilots every year, giving a significant boost to Odisha’s growing drone ecosystem.
The state marked a strong presence at the four-day event, which concludes on January 31, through its exclusive pavilion themed “Odisha Takes Flight”. The pavilion highlights Odisha’s expanding footprint in India’s aviation sector, showcasing progressive aviation policies, enhanced regional and international connectivity, focused skill development initiatives, and long-term infrastructure planning.
It also reflects the state’s vision of “Aviation for All”, spotlighting opportunities in airport development, aviation training, drone ecosystems, MRO potential and human resource development. These initiatives are aligned with Odisha’s long-term roadmap under Viksit Odisha@2036 and the national vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.
