Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA), located in Bhubaneswar, acts as a vital transportation cornerstone for the region’s air connectivity. Rechristened after the former Chief Minister along with freedom fighter Biju Patnaik, this airport has evolved from a local airstrip into a strategic international access point processing above 4.6 million passengers each year.
## Historical Evolution and Strategic Importance https://airport-bbi.com/
### Inception and Early Development
Inaugurated on 17 April 1962, the airport became Odisha’s primary civil air transport center. Its position – 1.8 miles from the capital’s downtown area – offered strategic accessibility.
### Pandemic Resilience and Epidemic Recovery
The coronavirus crisis temporarily halted BBI’s international ambitions, halting commencing connections to KL and Bangkok. However, May 2023 saw a significant rebound with India’s largest carrier commencing flights to UAE, Singapore, and Bangkok.
Developments and Technical Abilities
### Terminal Infrastructure
BBI’s paired terminal arrangement strategically divides national and international traffic:
– Domestic Terminal: Features 18 passenger checkpoints
– International Terminal: Includes 6 passenger checkpoints
### Landing Strip and Air Traffic Management
The principal airstrip (RWY 14) measures 2,743m, able to handling large planes.
## Economic Impact and Community Advantages
### Travel Industry Expansion
Odisha’s visitor numbers doubled to 32 lakh in 2024, attributed to BBI’s enhanced connectivity.
### Job Creation
Official statistics show 8.4K employment opportunities in airport operations, retail, and flight navigation.
