Biju Patnaik Air Terminal (BBI), situated in Bhubaneswar, acts as a critical aviation foundation for East India’s flight system. Renamed after the previous Chief Minister as well as freedom fighter Biju Patnaik, this airport has evolved from a regional facility into a key international portal processing above 4.6 million passengers annually.
Chronological Growth and Key Significance https://airport-bbi.com/
### Establishment and Formative Years
Commissioned on 17 April 1962, the airport emerged as Odisha’s primary public flight infrastructure. Its location – 1.8 miles from the urban core of Bhubaneswar – provided convenient access.
### COVID-19 Adaptation and Post-Pandemic Revival
The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted BBI’s international ambitions, suspending initial routes to Malaysia’s capital and Bangkok. Nevertheless, May 2023 saw a robust resurgence with IndiGo initiating flights to DXB, Singapore, plus Bangkok.
Facilities and Functional Capacities
### Terminal Infrastructure
BBI’s paired terminal arrangement strategically divides domestic and global traffic:
– Domestic Terminal: Contains eighteen registration desks
– International Terminal: Provides 6 passenger checkpoints
### Airstrip and Air Traffic Management
The airport’s primary runway (Runway 14-32) extends 2,743m, capable of handling jumbo jets.
Financial Influence and Community Advantages
### Visitor Sector Development
Odisha’s visitor numbers surged to 32 lakh in 2024, attributed to BBI’s expanded route map.
### Employment Generation
AAI reports 8,400 direct jobs in airport operations, commerce, and air traffic control.
