# Biju Patnaik International Airport: A Comprehensive Analysis of Odisha’s Aviation Hub

Biju Patnaik Air Terminal (Bhubaneswar Airport), positioned in Bhubaneswar, functions as a vital infrastructure pillar for East India’s flight system. Named after the former Chief Minister as well as freedom fighter Biju Patnaik, this air hub has evolved from a provincial terminal into an essential international portal handling above 4.6 million passengers annually.

Chronological Growth and Key Significance https://airport-bbi.com/

### Establishment and Formative Years

Commissioned on 17 April 1962, the air terminal became Odisha’s inaugural civil air transport center. Its location – 3000 meters from the urban core of Bhubaneswar – provided convenient access.

### Pandemic Resilience and Epidemic Recovery

The coronavirus crisis temporarily halted BBI’s overseas expansion plans, suspending initial routes to KL and Bangkok. Nonetheless, May 2023 experienced a robust resurgence with India’s largest carrier initiating flights to Dubai, Singapore, plus Bangkok.

## Infrastructure and Functional Capacities

### Terminal Facilities

BBI’s dual-terminal system strategically divides domestic and overseas traffic:

– Terminal 1: Features 18 passenger checkpoints

– Terminal 2: Offers 6 passenger checkpoints

### Airstrip and Aviation Navigation

The airport’s primary runway (Runway 14-32) extends 9,000 feet, able to handling large planes.

Financial Influence and Public Value

### Tourism Growth

Odisha’s visitor numbers increased twofold to 3.2 crore in 2024, associated with BBI’s enhanced connectivity.

### Employment Generation

Official statistics show 8,400 direct jobs across airport operations, commerce, and air traffic control.