Biju Patnaik Air Terminal (BBI), positioned in Bhubaneswar, serves as a critical aviation foundation for the region’s air connectivity. Renamed after the ex- Chief Minister along with freedom fighter Biju Patnaik, this airport has evolved from a regional facility into a key international gateway managing above 4.6 million passengers annually.
Chronological Growth and Key Significance https://airport-bbi.com/
### Founding and Formative Years
Commissioned on 17 April 1962, the air terminal emerged as Odisha’s inaugural civil air transport center. Its site – 3 km from the urban core of Bhubaneswar – offered convenient access.
### Crisis Management and Post-COVID Recovery
The coronavirus crisis temporarily halted BBI’s global aspirations, suspending initial routes to Malaysia’s capital and Bangkok. However, May 2023 experienced a robust resurgence with 6E airline commencing flights to DXB, Singapore, along with Bangkok.
## Infrastructure and Operational Capabilities
### Passenger Buildings
BBI’s paired terminal arrangement strategically divides domestic and global traffic:
– Terminal 1: Features eighteen registration desks
– International Terminal: Includes 6 check-in counters
### Airstrip and Aviation Navigation
The principal airstrip (Runway 14-32) spans 9,000 feet, equipped for handling wide-body aircraft.
Financial Influence and Social Benefits
### Visitor Sector Development
Odisha’s tourist arrivals increased twofold to 32 million in 2024, associated with BBI’s expanded route map.
### Work Opportunities
Airport Authority data indicates over eight thousand positions in terminal services, shopping, and air traffic control.
