After inception of Rourkela Steel Plant the Govt. of India built up an Air Strip at Rourkela in 60’s. and till 1991 it was under Government control. In 1991 the management and control of this Air strip is transferred to Steel Authority of India, Rourkela Steel Plant. As per the license agreement of Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Government of India, Rourkela Air Strip comes under Private License.

Time to time some of the important dignitaries and VVIPs boarding flights are landing here but so far the regular flight has not flying from this air strip for public conveyance. O(fcourse the dialogue with Ministry of Civil Aviation, Govt. of India is on for using it for public purpose specially when many low cost operators are operatingthere for small towns. In fact in the year 2007 – 2008 a small air operator company named as SKY AIRWAYS operated chattered flight from this base to Bhubaneswar via Barbil for few days only. So in-to Rourkela is not connected with air for public so far.

There is a strong demand for upgrading this existing Airport to a full fledged airport for commercial and non-commercial purpose.