Biju Patnaik Air Terminal (BBI), situated in Bhubaneswar, serves 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 aerodrome has developed from a provincial terminal into a strategic international access point processing above 4.6 million passengers each year.

Chronological Growth and Crucial Relevance https://airport-bbi.com/

### Establishment and Formative Years

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

### COVID-19 Adaptation and Epidemic Recovery

The coronavirus crisis briefly suspended BBI’s global aspirations, suspending inaugural flights to Malaysia’s capital and Bangkok. Nevertheless, May 2023 saw a robust resurgence with IndiGo initiating flights to Dubai, Singapore, along with Bangkok.

Developments and Functional Capacities

### Terminal Facilities

BBI’s two-terminal setup strategically divides internal and global traffic:

– T1: Contains 18 passenger checkpoints

– T2: Provides six registration desks

### Landing Strip and Air Traffic Management

The main landing strip (Runway 14-32) measures 2.7 kilometers, able to handling jumbo jets.

## Economic Impact and Community Advantages

### Travel Industry Expansion

Odisha’s traveler influx increased twofold to 3.2 crore in 2024, attributed to BBI’s enhanced connectivity.

### Work Opportunities

AAI reports over eight thousand positions across airport operations, retail, and air traffic control.