Bhubaneswar: With Republic Day falling on a Monday and many travellers planning long weekend trips, authorities at Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Bhubaneswar have issued a public advisory urging passengers to arrive well in advance for check-in and screening process amid heightened security measures.
The advisory, released on Thursday, comes in anticipation of significantly increased passenger traffic over the upcoming weekend.
Airport officials highlighted that enhanced security protocols, tied to Republic Day preparations
, are expected to lead to longer processing times at check-in counters and security screening points. Passengers have been advised to allocate extra time for these procedures, stay updated directly with their airlines on any flight changes, and fully cooperate with airport and security staff to ensure smooth operations.
According to reports, the holiday timing is driving higher ticket bookings, with many residents heading to hometowns or other destinations, potentially causing crowding at the terminal, especially during peak and early morning hours.
This proactive measure follows a challenging start to the year when dense fog severely disrupted flight operations from January 1 to 5. Subsequent days saw additional cancellations and delays, leading to crowding and confusion in the terminal.
Through this advisory, BPIA aims to prevent a repeat of the previous chaos and deliver a safer, more seamless travel experience in this period.