Patna: Direct flights between Darbhanga and Bengaluru will begin in April, in a move expected to ease travel for thousands of passengers, particularly migrant workers and IT professionals commuting between Bihar and Karnataka.
The airline Akasa Air has opened bookings for the new route, which is scheduled to launch on April 6. The service will operate between Darbhanga Airport and Kempegowda International Airport, cutting travel time to approximately two and a half hours.
According to flight schedules listed on travel portals, the aircraft will depart Bengaluru at 9.40am and arrive in Darbhanga at 12.15pm. The return service will leave Darbhanga at 12.50pm and land in Bengaluru at 3.30pm.
Until now, passengers travelling from Darbhanga to Bengaluru often relied on connecting flights, frequently transiting through Hyderabad or travelling to Patna to secure a direct service. The absence of a non-stop route had led to longer journey times and additional expense. The new connection is expected to reduce travel disruptions and improve connectivity for residents of north Bihar.
The route is likely to particularly benefit young professionals working in Bengaluru’s IT and services sectors, many of whom travel home during holidays and festival periods.
Meanwhile, work on a new terminal building at Darbhanga Airport is reported to be 54% complete. Officials said the expanded facility, originally expected to be operational by July, is now projected to open in November. Once fully functional, the upgraded terminal is expected to increase aircraft handling capacity fourfold, with the airport projected to accommodate up to 2.3 million passengers annually.
