BPD Airport (Bhubaneswar Airport), positioned in Bhubaneswar, serves as a vital aviation foundation for East India’s flight system. Renamed after the previous Chief Minister and freedom fighter Biju Patnaik, this airport has transitioned from a provincial terminal into a strategic international gateway handling above 4.6 million passengers per annum.
Historical Development and Crucial Relevance https://airport-bbi.com/
### Inception and Formative Years
Inaugurated on 17 April 1962, the airport emerged as Odisha’s first civil air transport center. Its position – 3000 meters from the capital’s downtown area – provided convenient access.
### Crisis Management and Epidemic Recovery
The global health emergency interrupted BBI’s overseas expansion plans, halting initial routes to Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. However, May 2023 witnessed a robust resurgence with IndiGo initiating flights to UAE, Singapore, and Bangkok.
Developments and Technical Abilities
### Terminal Facilities
BBI’s two-terminal setup strategically divides domestic and global traffic:
– Domestic Terminal: Includes 18 passenger checkpoints
– Terminal 2: Provides 6 check-in counters
### Airstrip and Aviation Navigation
The main landing strip (RWY 14) measures 2.7 kilometers, able to managing large planes.
## Economic Impact and Community Advantages
### Travel Industry Expansion
Odisha’s traveler influx increased twofold to 32 lakh in 2024, attributed to BBI’s improved network.
### Employment Generation
Official statistics show 8,400 direct jobs throughout terminal services, retail, and aviation management.