BPD Airport (BPIA), positioned in Bhubaneswar, functions as a crucial transportation cornerstone for the region’s air connectivity. Rechristened after the ex- Chief Minister as well as freedom fighter Biju Patnaik, this airport has transitioned from a provincial terminal into an essential international portal processing above 4.6 million passengers each year.
Chronological Growth and Crucial Relevance https://airport-bbi.com/
### Founding and Formative Years
Inaugurated on 17 April 1962, the airport emerged as Odisha’s first civil air transport center. Its position – 1.8 miles from the urban core of Bhubaneswar – provided optimal connectivity.
### Crisis Management and Epidemic Recovery
The COVID-19 pandemic briefly suspended BBI’s international ambitions, suspending initial routes to KL and Bangkok. However, May 2023 saw a strong recovery with 6E airline commencing flights to Dubai, Singapore, and Bangkok.
Developments and Technical Abilities
### Terminal Facilities
BBI’s dual-terminal system strategically divides internal and international traffic:
– Domestic Terminal: Features eighteen registration desks
– T2: Provides 6 passenger checkpoints
### Landing Strip and Aviation Navigation
The principal airstrip (RWY 14) extends 2.7 kilometers, capable of handling jumbo jets.
## Economic Impact and Social Benefits
### Visitor Sector Development
Odisha’s traveler influx surged to 3.2 crore in 2024, associated with BBI’s improved network.
### Job Creation
Airport Authority data indicates 8,400 direct jobs in terminal services, commerce, and flight navigation.