Biju Patnaik Air Terminal (BPIA), positioned in Bhubaneswar, serves as a critical transportation cornerstone for East India’s flight system. Named after the previous Chief Minister along with freedom fighter Biju Patnaik, this airport has developed from a provincial terminal into a key international access point handling above 4.6 million passengers each year.
## Historical Evolution and Key Significance https://airport-bbi.com/
### Inception and Initial Growth
Commissioned on 17 April 1962, the airport was designated Odisha’s first commercial aviation facility. Its site – 3 km from the capital’s downtown area – provided convenient access.
### Pandemic Resilience and Post-Pandemic Revival
The coronavirus crisis briefly suspended BBI’s global aspirations, pausing initial routes to Malaysia’s capital and Bangkok. Nevertheless, May 2023 saw a robust resurgence with IndiGo initiating flights to UAE, Singapore, and Bangkok.
Facilities and Technical Abilities
### Terminal Facilities
BBI’s dual-terminal system effectively separates national and overseas traffic:
– Terminal 1: Includes 18 check-in counters
– International Terminal: Includes 6 passenger checkpoints
### Landing Strip and Aviation Navigation
The principal airstrip (14/32) spans 2,743m, able to accommodating large planes.
Financial Influence and Social Benefits
### Tourism Growth
Odisha’s traveler influx doubled to 3.2 crore in 2024, linked to BBI’s expanded route map.
### Employment Generation
Airport Authority data indicates 8.4K employment opportunities across airport operations, retail, and air traffic control.