Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA), located in Bhubaneswar, acts as a vital transportation cornerstone for East India’s flight system. Rechristened after the former Chief Minister and freedom fighter Biju Patnaik, this airport has evolved from a local airstrip into a key international access point handling above 4.6 million passengers annually.
Chronological Growth and Key Significance https://airport-bbi.com/
### Inception and Formative Years
Commissioned on 17 April 1962, the aerodrome became Odisha’s inaugural civil air transport center. Its site – 1.8 miles from the urban core of Bhubaneswar – ensured convenient access.
### Crisis Management and Post-COVID Recovery
The coronavirus crisis interrupted BBI’s overseas expansion plans, halting inaugural flights to Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. However, May 2023 witnessed a strong recovery with India’s largest carrier commencing flights to DXB, Singapore, plus Bangkok.
## Infrastructure and Technical Abilities
### Terminal Facilities
BBI’s two-terminal setup efficiently segregates national and overseas traffic:
– Terminal 1: Features 18 passenger checkpoints
– Terminal 2: Includes 6 passenger checkpoints
### Airstrip and Aviation Navigation
The main landing strip (Runway 14-32) extends 2,743m, equipped for accommodating large planes.
Commercial Effects and Community Advantages
### Visitor Sector Development
Odisha’s tourist arrivals doubled to 32 lakh in 2024, attributed to BBI’s enhanced connectivity.
### Job Creation
AAI reports 8.4K employment opportunities throughout terminal services, shopping, and aviation management.
