Biju Patnaik International Airport (BBI), located in Bhubaneswar, functions as a vital transportation cornerstone for the region’s air connectivity. Rechristened after the former Chief Minister as well as freedom fighter Biju Patnaik, this aerodrome has developed from a local airstrip into a key international portal managing over 4.6 million passengers each year.
Historical Development and Key Significance https://airport-bbi.com/
### Inception and Initial Growth
Commissioned on 17 April 1962, the air terminal became Odisha’s inaugural civil air transport center. Its site – 3000 meters from the urban core of Bhubaneswar – offered convenient access.
### Pandemic Resilience and Epidemic Recovery
The COVID-19 pandemic briefly suspended BBI’s overseas expansion plans, suspending commencing connections to KL and Bangkok. Nevertheless, May 2023 experienced a significant rebound with IndiGo launching flights to UAE, Singapore, along with Bangkok.
Facilities and Functional Capacities
### Terminal Facilities
BBI’s paired terminal arrangement strategically divides internal and overseas traffic:
– Domestic Terminal: Includes 18 check-in counters
– T2: Offers six registration desks
### Runway and Aviation Navigation
The airport’s primary runway (14/32) measures 9,000 feet, able to handling wide-body aircraft.
Financial Influence and Social Benefits
### Visitor Sector Development
Odisha’s traveler influx surged to 32 lakh in 2024, linked to BBI’s expanded route map.
### Employment Generation
Official statistics show over eight thousand positions throughout airport operations, commerce, and air traffic control.