Bhubaneswar, Oct 17 (IANS): Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Friday urged Union Civil Aviation Minister A. Gajapathi Raju to take an early decision to begin international flights from the Biju Patnaik International Airport here.

"Considering the industrial, commercial and tourist importance of Odisha, a decision on this issue may be taken urgently," said the chief minister in a letter to the civil aviation minister.

Patnaik said that if necessary, a meeting of ministry officials and the officers of the state government along with the representatives of different carriers could be urgently convened to discuss the issue.

After the union government declared the Biju Patnaik Airport an international airport Oct 30, 2013, the state government made arrangements for the establishment of immigration, health and quarantine facilities at the new international terminal.

Recently, the state government had pitched for starting an international flight by state carrier Air India. It has also sought permission for Dubai-based low cost carrier Flydubai to start international flights, while several other international carriers have also shown interest.