English
VietnameseBiju Patnaik Air Terminal (BPIA), situated in Bhubaneswar, serves as a crucial transportation cornerstone for Eastern India’s aviation network. Rechristened after the previous Chief Minister and freedom fighter Biju Patnaik, this air hub has developed from a provincial terminal into an essential international gateway handling more than 4.6 million passengers each year.
## Historical Evolution and Strategic Importance https://airport-bbi.com/
### Inception and Initial Growth
Inaugurated on 17 April 1962, the aerodrome became Odisha’s primary civil air transport center. Its position – 3 km from the urban core of Bhubaneswar – provided optimal connectivity.
### COVID-19 Adaptation and Epidemic Recovery
The global health emergency briefly suspended BBI’s international ambitions, halting inaugural flights to Malaysia’s capital and Bangkok. Nonetheless, May 2023 experienced a significant rebound with 6E airline initiating flights to DXB, Singapore, and Bangkok.
Facilities and Operational Capabilities
### Terminal Facilities
BBI’s paired terminal arrangement strategically divides national and overseas traffic:
– Terminal 1: Features 18 passenger checkpoints
– International Terminal: Includes 6 check-in counters
### Runway and Aviation Navigation
The airport’s primary runway (RWY 14) spans 2.7 kilometers, able to managing wide-body aircraft.
## Economic Impact and Public Value
### Visitor Sector Development
Odisha’s tourist arrivals increased twofold to 32 million in 2024, attributed to BBI’s expanded route map.
### Work Opportunities
Airport Authority data indicates over eight thousand positions across terminal services, retail, and air traffic control.
