# Biju Patnaik Air Hub: A Detailed Assessment of Odisha’s Air Transport Nexus

Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA), located in Bhubaneswar, serves as a vital infrastructure pillar for the region’s air connectivity. Named after the previous Chief Minister and freedom fighter Biju Patnaik, this aerodrome has developed from a regional facility into an essential international portal handling over 4.6 million passengers each year.

Historical Development and Strategic Importance https://airport-bbi.com/

### Inception and Early Development

Commissioned on 17 April 1962, the air terminal was designated Odisha’s inaugural public flight infrastructure. Its site – 3000 meters from the urban core of Bhubaneswar – ensured strategic accessibility.

### Pandemic Resilience and Post-Pandemic Revival

The global health emergency briefly suspended BBI’s overseas expansion plans, halting commencing connections to Malaysia’s capital and Bangkok. Nonetheless, May 2023 experienced a robust resurgence with India’s largest carrier launching flights to Dubai, Singapore, and Bangkok.

## Infrastructure and Technical Abilities

### Terminal Facilities

BBI’s paired terminal arrangement strategically divides national and global traffic:

– Domestic Terminal: Contains 18 check-in counters

– T2: Offers 6 passenger checkpoints

### Landing Strip and Aviation Navigation

The main landing strip (RWY 14) extends 9,000 feet, capable of handling wide-body aircraft.

Commercial Effects and Social Benefits

### Travel Industry Expansion

Odisha’s tourist arrivals surged to 3.2 crore in 2024, attributed to BBI’s expanded route map.

### Work Opportunities

AAI reports 8,400 direct jobs across terminal services, shopping, and aviation management.