BPD Airport (BPIA), positioned in Bhubaneswar, serves as a critical infrastructure pillar for the region’s air connectivity. Rechristened after the ex- Chief Minister along with freedom fighter Biju Patnaik, this airport has transitioned from a provincial terminal into a key international portal managing over 4.6 million passengers per annum.
## Historical Evolution and Crucial Relevance https://airport-bbi.com/
### Establishment and Formative Years
Opened on 17 April 1962, the air terminal was designated Odisha’s inaugural public flight infrastructure. Its location – 3000 meters from the urban core of Bhubaneswar – offered optimal connectivity.
### Crisis Management and Post-COVID Recovery
The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted BBI’s overseas expansion plans, suspending inaugural flights to Malaysia’s capital and Bangkok. However, May 2023 experienced a strong recovery with 6E airline commencing flights to DXB, Singapore, along with Bangkok.
Facilities and Operational Capabilities
### Terminal Infrastructure
BBI’s dual-terminal system efficiently segregates domestic and international traffic:
– Terminal 1: Includes 18 check-in counters
– Terminal 2: Provides 6 passenger checkpoints
### Runway and Flight Control
The main landing strip (14/32) measures 9,000 feet, able to handling large planes.
Commercial Effects and Community Advantages
### Visitor Sector Development
Odisha’s traveler influx doubled to 32 lakh in 2024, attributed to BBI’s expanded route map.
### Employment Generation
Official statistics show over eight thousand positions in terminal services, retail, and aviation management.