Bhubaneswar Airport Launches Direct Flights To Abu Dhabi

Starting in June, Biju Patnaik International Airport will launch direct flights to Abu Dhabi following successful Dubai flights. The airport is expanding with new domestic and international destinations, including Ghaziabad, Port Blair, and Goa. It experienced a 26.9 per cent rise in passenger footfall and anticipates further growth with additional flights in 2025.

From June onwards, the Biju Patnaik International Airport will start operating direct flights to Abu Dhabi. "Since its launch in May 2023, direct flights to Dubai are booked to capacity, and going by that trend, one can expect the same in the case of Abu Dhabi flights as well," BPIA director Prasanna Pradhan said.

Direct connectivity to two Middle East destinations opens the gateway to Gulf countries, Europe, North America and Canada with just one layover. "The footfall in Bangkok and Singapore flights is also impressive. In international and domestic operations, BPIA is growing with new destinations. Since 2022, many new cities have been connected with Bhubaneshwar, thus expanding the domestic air traffic as well," Pradhan added.

From April, three more domestic destinations, Ghaziabad, Port Blair, and Goa, will be connected to the capital city, thus increasing the total number of domestic destinations to 28. Once flights run for the three new destinations, the airport's total departures in a day will rise to 56 and equal rivals. According to airport sources, the arrivals and departures include single destinations with multiple flights.

"The flight to Kuala Lumpur should resume as it recorded impressive bookings. Also, the Dubai flight should be made daily. Connectivity to more international destinations means more business, tourism, knowledge sharing and opportunities in every field", frequent flyer Sanjib Guru said.

In 2024, BPIA registered a 26.9 per cent growth in passenger footfall compared to 2023. The target of achieving five million annual footfall in 2024 was not possible because, between October and Dec, the footfall was almost on par with that of 2023 in the corresponding period, indicating slow growth. "In 2025, we will be able to achieve the five million annual footfall target with more flights for overseas and domestic operations coming up," Pradhan added.

In 2023-23, the city airport recorded 30,745 aircraft movements, but in 2023-24, it increased to 35,368 aircraft.

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