Bhubaneswar: Air travel from Bhubaneswar is set for a significant expansion as the Airport Advisory Committee (AAC) announced on Wednesday that direct flight services to Jaipur are expected to commence shortly.
During a high-level meeting chaired by Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi, the committee also explored the feasibility of establishing direct routes to other major destinations, including Surat, Shirdi, Tirupati, and Bhopal. To accommodate this growth and enhance local infrastructure, the committee reached a consensus to fast-track the operationalisation of the third terminal at Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA).
A ₹1,000-crore expansion project is underway at BPIA to construct a massive new Terminal 3 (T3). Designed to process both domestic and international flights in one integrated facility, the terminal will span 65,000 square metres and increase the airport’s capacity to 8.6 million passengers annually.
BPIA Director Prasanna Pradhan provided a comprehensive update on the airport’s performance, noting steady increases in passenger traffic, aircraft movement, and cargo handling. He highlighted ongoing efforts to elevate Airport Service Quality (ASQ) ratings through infrastructure upgrades and improved passenger amenities.
In a bid to engage the community, stakeholders suggested launching airport familiarisation programmes for rural school students and hosting orientation workshops for local youth aspiring to enter the aviation industry as air hostesses and professionals. Technical improvements were also a primary focus, with proposals to increase the number of aero-bridges to streamline boarding processes.
However, safety concerns remained a priority; the committee identified several obstacles, including mobile towers on private buildings, WATCO water tanks, and tall coconut trees, that pose risks to flight operations. Members emphasised that a coordinated effort between the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, the Bhubaneswar Development Authority, and the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology is essential to clear these hazards and ensure a safer airspace.
In addition to operational updates, MP Aparajita advocated for cultural and convenience-based enhancements, specifically calling for the immediate establishment of a bookstore within the terminal. She further suggested that the AAC meet every six months to ensure consistent progress on these initiatives.
Representatives of various airlines, police, CISF, BMC, Tourism department and other stakeholders attended the meeting.
