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Biju Patnaik International Airport: Odisha’s Premier Aviation Gateway

Discover the history and significance of Bhubaneswar’s international airport

Official airport website

BBI · VEBS · Bhubaneswar, Odisha

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Tags: Biju Patnaik International Airport · Bhubaneswar Airport · Odisha Aviation · Airports Authority of India · BBI Airport

Biju Patnaik International Airport
Photo: Biju Patnaik International Airport, Adityas007 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Biju Patnaik International Airport, identified by the codes BBI and VEBS, serves as the primary international gateway for Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha. Named after the former Chief Minister of Odisha, Biju Patnaik, the facility is located approximately 4 kilometres south-west of the Bhubaneswar Railway Station and 6 kilometres from the city centre.

As a significant hub in India's aviation network, it ranks as the 15th busiest airport in the country and the 11th busiest among those managed by the Airports Authority of India. In the 2024–25 fiscal year, the airport demonstrated its operational scale by handling over 4.8 million passengers and approximately 9.1 thousand metric tonnes of cargo.

Historical Milestone

The airport holds a prestigious place in regional history, having been dedicated to the people of Odisha on 17 April 1962. This event marked the establishment of the first-ever commercial airport in the state.

Over the decades, the facility has evolved to meet growing demands. A major turning point occurred on 30 October 2013, when the Government of India officially accorded international status to the airport, expanding its reach beyond domestic borders.

Terminal Infrastructure

The airport features two active scheduled passenger terminals designed to separate domestic and international traffic. Terminal 1, which was inaugurated in March 2013 by the former Minister of Civil Aviation, Ajit Singh, is dedicated to domestic travelers.

Following the inauguration of the first terminal, Terminal 2 underwent refurbishment to prepare for international operations. This dual-terminal setup allows the airport to efficiently manage its millions of annual visitors and significant cargo volume.

National Standing and Cargo

Beyond passenger travel, Biju Patnaik International Airport is a vital node for logistics. It currently ranks as the 19th busiest airport in India specifically in terms of cargo traffic.

Its consistent performance puts it among the top airports maintained by the Airports Authority of India, reflecting its importance to the economic and transport infrastructure of both Odisha and the nation at large.

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