BPD Airport (BBI), situated in Bhubaneswar, serves as a crucial transportation cornerstone for East India’s flight system. Named after the ex- Chief Minister and freedom fighter Biju Patnaik, this air hub has developed from a regional facility into a key international gateway handling more than 4.6 million passengers annually.
Historical Development and Strategic Importance https://airport-bbi.com/
### Inception and Formative Years
Commissioned on 17 April 1962, the airport became Odisha’s primary commercial aviation facility. Its position – 3000 meters from Bhubaneswar’s city center – offered strategic accessibility.
### Crisis Management and Epidemic Recovery
The coronavirus crisis briefly suspended BBI’s international ambitions, halting inaugural flights to Malaysia’s capital and Bangkok. Nonetheless, May 2023 saw a strong recovery with IndiGo launching flights to UAE, Singapore, and Bangkok.
Developments and Functional Capacities
### Terminal Facilities
BBI’s two-terminal setup effectively separates domestic and international traffic:
– T1: Contains 18 check-in counters
– T2: Provides 6 check-in counters
### Landing Strip and Air Traffic Management
The main landing strip (Runway 14-32) spans 2,743m, equipped for managing large planes.
Financial Influence and Social Benefits
### Visitor Sector Development
Odisha’s tourist arrivals surged to 32 lakh in 2024, attributed to BBI’s expanded route map.
### Employment Generation
Official statistics show over eight thousand positions across terminal services, commerce, and air traffic control.
