Bhubaneswar, Dec 5 (IANS): Air India will start a direct flight service to Bangkok from the Biju Patnaik International Airport here from December 10, said Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday.

Patnaik said the direct flight to Bangkok will make Odisha the new gateway to the East.

"Bolstering Odisha's position as new gateway to the East, Air India announced direct flights from Bhubaneswar to Bangkok starting 10 Dec. Expansion of international air connectivity will give huge boost to tourism, trade & ties with South East Asian countries," he said in a tweet.

Air India will connect Bhubaneswar to Bangkok twice a week, tweeted Air India.

The first international flight from Bhubaneswar to Kuala Lumpur commenced on April 26, 2017. The state government allowed the Thai Air Asia to receive subsidy support of Rs 1.70 lakh per round trip for starting air service operations.

The Bhubaneswar airport got the international tag on October 31, 2010.