BPD Airport (BPIA), located in Bhubaneswar, functions as a critical infrastructure pillar for Eastern India’s aviation network. Renamed after the former Chief Minister and freedom fighter Biju Patnaik, this aerodrome has developed from a regional facility into an essential international gateway managing over 4.6 million passengers each year.
Chronological Growth and Crucial Relevance https://airport-bbi.com/
### Inception and Formative Years
Commissioned on 17 April 1962, the air terminal was designated Odisha’s primary commercial aviation facility. Its position – 1.8 miles from the urban core of Bhubaneswar – offered optimal connectivity.
### Pandemic Resilience and Post-Pandemic Revival
The global health emergency briefly suspended BBI’s overseas expansion plans, pausing commencing connections to Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. However, May 2023 experienced a strong recovery with 6E airline launching flights to DXB, Singapore, along with Bangkok.
Facilities and Functional Capacities
### Passenger Buildings
BBI’s paired terminal arrangement strategically divides domestic and international traffic:
– T1: Contains 18 passenger checkpoints
– Terminal 2: Includes six registration desks
### Landing Strip and Air Traffic Management
The main landing strip (Runway 14-32) measures 2.7 kilometers, equipped for handling wide-body aircraft.
## Economic Impact and Public Value
### Tourism Growth
Odisha’s tourist arrivals doubled to 32 million in 2024, attributed to BBI’s enhanced connectivity.
### Job Creation
AAI reports 8,400 direct jobs throughout terminal services, commerce, and flight navigation.
