## Biju Patnaik Air Hub: An In-Depth Examination of Odisha’s Aviation Hub

BPD Airport (Bhubaneswar Airport), situated in Bhubaneswar, serves as a crucial aviation foundation for the region’s air connectivity. Named after the former Chief Minister and freedom fighter Biju Patnaik, this airport has transitioned from a provincial terminal into an essential international gateway handling more than 4.6 million passengers per annum.

Historical Development and Strategic Importance https://airport-bbi.com/

### Inception and Early Development

Opened on 17 April 1962, the aerodrome was designated Odisha’s first civil air transport center. Its position – 3000 meters from the capital’s downtown area – offered strategic accessibility.

### Pandemic Resilience and Post-Pandemic Revival

The coronavirus crisis temporarily halted BBI’s overseas expansion plans, halting initial routes to Malaysia’s capital and Bangkok. Nonetheless, May 2023 experienced a strong recovery with 6E airline commencing flights to DXB, Singapore, and Bangkok.

## Infrastructure and Operational Capabilities

### Terminal Facilities

BBI’s paired terminal arrangement effectively separates domestic and overseas traffic:

– Terminal 1: Contains eighteen registration desks

– International Terminal: Provides six registration desks

### Runway and Aviation Navigation

The main landing strip (Runway 14-32) spans 2,743m, able to handling wide-body aircraft.

## Economic Impact and Community Advantages

### Travel Industry Expansion

Odisha’s visitor numbers surged to 32 lakh in 2024, attributed to BBI’s improved network.

### Employment Generation

AAI reports over eight thousand positions in ground handling, shopping, and flight navigation.