Malkangiri: A long-awaited dream of the people of Malkangiri district in Odisha is set to become a reality, with the administration preparing to launch regular flight services from Malkangiri Airport. As part of the process, a trial flight is scheduled to take place on July 22.

Preparations for the commencement of regular flight operations are already underway. Ahead of the trial run, Assistant Director (Security) Manoj Kumar Das and Assistant Director of Aero Safeguard Neeraj Kumar Nayak will arrive from Bhubaneswar on July 20 to inspect the airport and review operational readiness.

Following the airport inspection, the officials will hold meetings with the district administration, including the Collector, Superintendent of Police, Fire Services, Chief District Medical Officer, Public Works Department officials and other stakeholders. They are expected to assign responsibilities to various departments to ensure the successful conduct of the trial flight.

On July 21, the officials will carry out another inspection of the airport to finalise all arrangements. A comprehensive review of security measures will also be conducted, along with coordination meetings involving security personnel, the fire services and the health department to ensure emergency response systems are in place.

If the trial flight on July 22 is successful, Assistant Director Manoj Kumar Das will return to Bhubaneswar on July 23. However, Assistant Director Neeraj Kumar Nayak will remain in Malkangiri until July 30 to monitor the airport's operations and oversee the follow-up process for the proposed launch of regular flight services.