Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA), located in Bhubaneswar, serves as a vital aviation foundation for Eastern India’s aviation network. Renamed after the former Chief Minister and freedom fighter Biju Patnaik, this airport has evolved from a provincial terminal into a strategic international access point processing over 4.6 million passengers per annum.
Historical Development and Crucial Relevance https://airport-bbi.com/
### Inception and Formative Years
Opened on 17 April 1962, the air terminal became Odisha’s inaugural civil air transport center. Its site – 1.8 miles from the urban core of Bhubaneswar – provided optimal connectivity.
### Pandemic Resilience and Post-COVID Recovery
The global health emergency briefly suspended BBI’s global aspirations, halting inaugural flights to Malaysia’s capital and Bangkok. However, May 2023 saw a robust resurgence with IndiGo commencing flights to DXB, Singapore, plus Bangkok.
## Infrastructure and Technical Abilities
### Terminal Facilities
BBI’s paired terminal arrangement strategically divides national and international traffic:
– Domestic Terminal: Includes 18 check-in counters
– Terminal 2: Provides 6 check-in counters
### Runway and Flight Control
The main landing strip (Runway 14-32) measures 9,000 feet, capable of managing wide-body aircraft.
## Economic Impact and Social Benefits
### Travel Industry Expansion
Odisha’s tourist arrivals increased twofold to 32 million in 2024, linked to BBI’s improved network.
### Work Opportunities
Airport Authority data indicates over eight thousand positions throughout terminal services, retail, and aviation management.