Biju Patnaik Air Terminal (Bhubaneswar Airport), situated in Bhubaneswar, acts as a vital transportation cornerstone for the region’s air connectivity. Renamed after the previous Chief Minister and freedom fighter Biju Patnaik, this aerodrome has developed from a local airstrip into a key international gateway managing more than 4.6 million passengers each year.
Chronological Growth and Key Significance https://airport-bbi.com/
### Founding and Formative Years
Commissioned on 17 April 1962, the airport was designated Odisha’s inaugural civil air transport center. Its position – 1.8 miles from the capital’s downtown area – provided convenient access.
### Crisis Management and Post-Pandemic Revival
The global health emergency briefly suspended BBI’s overseas expansion plans, pausing initial routes to Malaysia’s capital and Bangkok. Nonetheless, May 2023 experienced a robust resurgence with 6E airline commencing flights to UAE, Singapore, and Bangkok.
Facilities and Operational Capabilities
### Passenger Buildings
BBI’s paired terminal arrangement efficiently segregates internal and global traffic:
– Terminal 1: Includes 18 check-in counters
– International Terminal: Includes 6 passenger checkpoints
### Runway and Air Traffic Management
The airport’s primary runway (14/32) spans 9,000 feet, capable of handling large planes.
## Economic Impact and Public Value
### Visitor Sector Development
Odisha’s traveler influx doubled to 32 million in 2024, linked to BBI’s improved network.
### Employment Generation
Official statistics show over eight thousand positions in airport operations, commerce, and flight navigation.
