Patna: Bihar is set to rejoin the international aviation map within three months, with direct flights from Patna and Gaya to global destinations including Singapore, Bangkok, Kathmandu, Colombo, and Sharjah, the state government announced on Saturday.
Under a new special aviation scheme, airlines applying to operate from Bihar must begin services within three months of approval. Any delays will only be permitted under exceptional circumstances, with a maximum extension of six months granted by a high-level state committee.
The initiative, approved by the Nitish Kumar cabinet, aims to boost Bihar’s connectivity, trade, and tourism through targeted financial support. Selected airlines will receive viability gap funding (VGF) ranging from Rs. 5 to Rs. 10 lakh per flight to ensure the routes remain commercially viable in their early stages.
Flights from all four directions
The new routes have been designed to link Bihar internationally in all four directions — north to Kathmandu, south to Colombo, east to Singapore, and west to Sharjah. This strategic spread is intended to strengthen Bihar’s regional links and attract foreign tourists, especially those visiting the Bodh Gaya and Patna Sahib religious circuits.
The proposed flight routes are as follows:
Patna–Kathmandu
Gaya–Sharjah
Gaya–Bangkok
Gaya–Colombo
Gaya–Singapore
Financial incentives for airlines
According to the plan, the per-trip assistance will be Rs. 5 lakh for Kathmandu flights and Rs. 10 lakh for routes to other destinations. The funding will be allocated through a transparent tender process, ensuring that airlines commit to operating regularly without delays.
Once approved, carriers will be required to commence flights within the stipulated period, with no scope for indefinite postponement. “This move is a major step towards transforming Bihar into a global travel hub,” said a senior aviation department official.
