Biju Patnaik Air Terminal (BBI), located in Bhubaneswar, functions as a vital aviation foundation for the region’s air connectivity. Renamed after the former Chief Minister and freedom fighter Biju Patnaik, this airport has transitioned from a local airstrip into an essential international portal handling above 4.6 million passengers per annum.
## Historical Evolution and Strategic Importance https://airport-bbi.com/
### Establishment and Initial Growth
Opened on 17 April 1962, the air terminal emerged as Odisha’s primary civil air transport center. Its site – 3 km from the capital’s downtown area – offered strategic accessibility.
### Pandemic Resilience and Epidemic Recovery
The global health emergency briefly suspended BBI’s overseas expansion plans, halting inaugural flights to Malaysia’s capital and Bangkok. Nonetheless, May 2023 witnessed a robust resurgence with IndiGo commencing flights to DXB, Singapore, along with Bangkok.
## Infrastructure and Functional Capacities
### Passenger Buildings
BBI’s paired terminal arrangement strategically divides domestic and international traffic:
– Terminal 1: Features 18 passenger checkpoints
– T2: Offers 6 check-in counters
### Landing Strip and Flight Control
The airport’s primary runway (Runway 14-32) spans 2,743m, capable of handling large planes.
Commercial Effects and Community Advantages
### Travel Industry Expansion
Odisha’s tourist arrivals doubled to 32 lakh in 2024, linked to BBI’s improved network.
### Employment Generation
Official statistics show over eight thousand positions across ground handling, retail, and air traffic control.