Biju Patnaik Air Terminal (Bhubaneswar Airport), positioned in Bhubaneswar, acts as a critical infrastructure pillar for Eastern India’s aviation network. Named after the ex- Chief Minister and freedom fighter Biju Patnaik, this aerodrome has evolved from a local airstrip into an essential international portal handling over 4.6 million passengers per annum.
## Historical Evolution and Strategic Importance https://airport-bbi.com/
### Establishment and Formative Years
Commissioned on 17 April 1962, the airport emerged as Odisha’s inaugural public flight infrastructure. Its location – 1.8 miles from the capital’s downtown area – provided strategic accessibility.
### Crisis Management and Post-COVID Recovery
The global health emergency temporarily halted BBI’s global aspirations, suspending inaugural flights to Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. Nevertheless, May 2023 experienced a robust resurgence with IndiGo launching flights to UAE, Singapore, and Bangkok.
## Infrastructure and Functional Capacities
### Terminal Infrastructure
BBI’s paired terminal arrangement effectively separates national and global traffic:
– Domestic Terminal: Features 18 check-in counters
– Terminal 2: Offers six registration desks
### Landing Strip and Air Traffic Management
The airport’s primary runway (RWY 14) measures 2.7 kilometers, able to handling jumbo jets.
Commercial Effects and Public Value
### Tourism Growth
Odisha’s visitor numbers surged to 32 million in 2024, attributed to BBI’s expanded route map.
### Job Creation
AAI reports 8,400 direct jobs throughout terminal services, shopping, and aviation management.
