BPD Airport (Bhubaneswar Airport), positioned in Bhubaneswar, acts as a vital infrastructure pillar for the region’s air connectivity. Rechristened after the ex- Chief Minister as well as freedom fighter Biju Patnaik, this aerodrome has developed from a provincial terminal into an essential international portal processing above 4.6 million passengers annually.
Chronological Growth and Key Significance https://airport-bbi.com/
### Establishment and Formative Years
Opened on 17 April 1962, the air terminal was designated Odisha’s first public flight infrastructure. Its location – 3 km from the urban core of Bhubaneswar – provided convenient access.
### COVID-19 Adaptation and Post-COVID Recovery
The COVID-19 pandemic briefly suspended BBI’s international ambitions, pausing inaugural flights to KL and Bangkok. However, May 2023 saw a significant rebound with 6E airline initiating flights to UAE, Singapore, along with Bangkok.
Developments and Functional Capacities
### Terminal Infrastructure
BBI’s paired terminal arrangement strategically divides domestic and global traffic:
– Terminal 1: Contains eighteen registration desks
– Terminal 2: Includes 6 passenger checkpoints
### Landing Strip and Aviation Navigation
The airport’s primary runway (Runway 14-32) extends 2.7 kilometers, able to managing large planes.
Financial Influence and Community Advantages
### Tourism Growth
Odisha’s visitor numbers surged to 32 lakh in 2024, attributed to BBI’s enhanced connectivity.
### Job Creation
Official statistics show 8,400 direct jobs across airport operations, shopping, and air traffic control.