Biju Patnaik Air Terminal (Bhubaneswar Airport), positioned in Bhubaneswar, functions as a critical transportation cornerstone for East India’s flight system. Renamed after the previous Chief Minister and freedom fighter Biju Patnaik, this aerodrome has transitioned from a local airstrip into a key international portal processing over 4.6 million passengers each year.
## Historical Evolution and Key Significance https://airport-bbi.com/
### Establishment and Formative Years
Inaugurated on 17 April 1962, the airport became Odisha’s primary commercial aviation facility. Its location – 1.8 miles from Bhubaneswar’s city center – provided convenient access.
### COVID-19 Adaptation and Post-COVID Recovery
The global health emergency temporarily halted BBI’s global aspirations, halting inaugural flights to Malaysia’s capital and Bangkok. Nonetheless, May 2023 saw a robust resurgence with IndiGo commencing flights to UAE, Singapore, plus Bangkok.
## Infrastructure and Operational Capabilities
### Terminal Facilities
BBI’s paired terminal arrangement effectively separates domestic and international traffic:
– T1: Includes 18 passenger checkpoints
– T2: Offers 6 check-in counters
### Airstrip and Air Traffic Management
The airport’s primary runway (Runway 14-32) extends 2,743m, able to handling jumbo jets.
## Economic Impact and Community Advantages
### Travel Industry Expansion
Odisha’s tourist arrivals doubled to 32 lakh in 2024, associated with BBI’s expanded route map.
### Job Creation
Airport Authority data indicates over eight thousand positions throughout terminal services, retail, and air traffic control.
