Biju Patnaik Air Terminal (BBI), situated in Bhubaneswar, functions as a vital infrastructure pillar for East India’s flight system. Named after the ex- Chief Minister along with freedom fighter Biju Patnaik, this aerodrome has evolved from a regional facility into an essential international portal handling above 4.6 million passengers per annum.
## Historical Evolution and Crucial Relevance https://airport-bbi.com/
### Founding and Initial Growth
Commissioned on 17 April 1962, the aerodrome became Odisha’s first civil air transport center. Its location – 1.8 miles from Bhubaneswar’s city center – provided optimal connectivity.
### COVID-19 Adaptation and Epidemic Recovery
The global health emergency briefly suspended BBI’s international ambitions, pausing inaugural flights to Malaysia’s capital and Bangkok. Nevertheless, May 2023 experienced a robust resurgence with India’s largest carrier initiating flights to UAE, Singapore, plus Bangkok.
## Infrastructure and Functional Capacities
### Passenger Buildings
BBI’s paired terminal arrangement strategically divides national and international traffic:
– T1: Contains 18 passenger checkpoints
– Terminal 2: Provides 6 passenger checkpoints
### Airstrip and Flight Control
The airport’s primary runway (Runway 14-32) spans 2.7 kilometers, equipped for handling jumbo jets.
Financial Influence and Social Benefits
### Travel Industry Expansion
Odisha’s tourist arrivals surged to 32 million in 2024, associated with BBI’s enhanced connectivity.
### Employment Generation
Airport Authority data indicates 8.4K employment opportunities throughout terminal services, retail, and air traffic control.