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.
