Patna: Bihar is expanding its aviation network beyond Patna and Darbhanga, with the state government and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) working on a series of new and upgraded airport projects across the state.

The expansion is aimed at bringing air connectivity closer to smaller cities and reducing the dependence of passengers in regions such as Seemanchal, Kosi, north Bihar and the Nepal-border belt on Patna, Darbhanga and Bagdogra airports.

At present, Patna, Gaya, Darbhanga and Purnea are the four airports in Bihar with commercial flight operations. Several other locations are at different stages of land acquisition, planning, infrastructure development or redevelopment.

Among the important projects are airports or airfields at Birpur, Saharsa, Munger, Valmikinagar, Muzaffarpur, Raxaul, Gopalganj, Kishanganj and Sonpur, besides the development of a civil enclave at Bihta.

Raxaul airport emerges as a key project

Raxaul Airport in East Champaran has gained fresh momentum and is one of the important airport redevelopment projects in Bihar.

In May 2026, AAI invited tenders for engineering consultancy for construction of the runway, apron, taxiway, isolation bay, a bridge over a river for runway extension and associated airside infrastructure at Raxaul Airport. The consultancy has a 24-month completion period.

The project is particularly significant because Raxaul is located close to the India-Nepal border and is an important border-trade and passenger movement point.

The Civil Aviation Ministry has also said that AAI is seeking 139 acres of additional land from the Bihar government to facilitate operations of A320-type aircraft at Raxaul.

Raxaul has been under consideration for revival for several years. A 2023 Lok Sabha reply said AAI’s feasibility study had found that the airport could be developed for ATR-72/Q-400 type aircraft for IFR operations, subject to the required land being made available.

The latest AAI tender indicates that the project has now moved into a more detailed engineering and infrastructure-planning stage. However, there is no confirmed commercial flight commencement date yet.

Bihar’s airport expansion plan

Under the state’s airport expansion programme and the Centre’s UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, several smaller cities are being considered for air connectivity.

The first phase includes development or upgradation of Birpur, Saharsa, Munger, Valmikinagar, Madhubani and Muzaffarpur.

The Bihar government and AAI signed an agreement in June 2025 for the development of the six locations.

Birpur airport: Runway expansion near Nepal border

Birpur Airport in Supaul district is being developed with additional land acquisition planned over 88.83 acres.

The project includes runway expansion, aircraft movement areas, parking facilities and other aviation infrastructure. The estimated development cost is around Rs 64.80 crore.

Birpur is strategically located around 5 km from the Nepal border. Its existing runway is approximately 1,200 metres long and is proposed to be extended to nearly 3 km.

The extended runway would allow the airport to handle larger aircraft. Its location also gives the facility strategic importance, although any future military use would depend on defence requirements and approvals.

Saharsa airport to serve smaller aircraft

Saharsa Airport is being upgraded at an estimated cost of Rs 35.14 crore, including construction of a new terminal building.

The project is expected to improve connectivity for people in Saharsa and surrounding areas.

The airport is planned as a Code 2B facility, suitable for smaller aircraft in the 15-19 seat category.

Munger’s Safiyabad airport project

A greenfield airport project is planned around Safiyabad in Munger.

The proposal involves acquisition of approximately 1,720.11 acres, with the state government approving Rs 773.46 crore for compensation.

The existing Safiyabad airstrip has a runway around 758 metres long and 25 metres wide. The plan is to increase it to at least 1,200 metres in length and 70 metres in width.

Initial services under the UDAN programme are expected to use smaller aircraft.

Valmikinagar airport could boost tourism

Valmikinagar, located near the Nepal border, is another important airport project.

An airport is planned here at an estimated cost of around Rs 38.64 crore.

The location is home to the Valmiki Tiger Reserve, making improved air connectivity potentially important for tourism.

The airport could also benefit residents of Bettiah, Motihari and other parts of north Bihar who currently depend on Patna or Darbhanga for air travel.

Madhubani may get a heliport

Madhubani is being considered for a heliport rather than a conventional airport.

Darbhanga Airport is approximately 30-40 km away. Better road connectivity could further reduce the need for a separate full-scale airport in Madhubani.

Muzaffarpur’s Patahi airport being developed

Patahi Airport in Muzaffarpur is being developed with an initial investment of around Rs 23.47 crore.

The project includes a terminal building, Air Traffic Control facility and fire station. The airport is expected to operate 19-seat aircraft.

The airfield covers around 101 acres and has a runway of approximately 1,050 metres.

A proposal to extend the runway was put on hold following opposition from local residents.

Phase 2 projects: Gopalganj, Kishanganj and Sonpur

Several other major aviation projects are being planned or developed in the next phase.

Gopalganj’s Sabeya airport has World War II history

Sabeya Airport in Hathua block of Gopalganj dates back to the British era and was used by the British Army during World War II.

After Independence, the airfield came under the Ministry of Defence.

The facility is now being considered for development to support smaller aircraft operations, potentially improving connectivity for Gopalganj and surrounding areas.

Kishanganj airport has strategic importance

The Khagra airfield in Kishanganj is another strategically important aviation project.

The existing runway is around 900 metres long, and a proposal has been approved to extend it to approximately 2,500 metres.

Kishanganj is around 175 km from the China border and lies close to the Siliguri Corridor, also known as the Chicken’s Neck.

Because of this location, the airport has significance beyond civilian connectivity. However, any operation of fighter aircraft would depend on defence requirements and the necessary approvals.

Sonpur airport: Proposed major aviation hub near Patna

A major airport has been proposed at Sonpur in Saran district, around 25 km from Patna.

The proposed airport is planned over approximately 4,228 acres, with two runways and a runway length of around 4.2 km.

The project has been described as capable of handling very large aircraft, including the Airbus A380, if the proposed specifications and infrastructure are implemented.

Given its proximity to Patna, the project could significantly increase aviation capacity for the wider Patna region.

Bihta Airport to ease pressure on Patna

Another major project is the development of a civil enclave at Bihta.

The Indian Air Force has an existing airbase at Bihta, and AAI is developing civilian aviation infrastructure there.

According to a recent Lok Sabha reply, AAI has undertaken development of the civil enclave at Bihta at an estimated cost of Rs 1,413 crore.

The project is expected to provide additional capacity for the Patna region and reduce pressure on the existing Patna Airport.

Bihar’s four operational airports

Bihar currently has four airports handling commercial passenger traffic — Patna, Gaya, Darbhanga and Purnea.

The expansion plans come as passenger traffic continues to increase at several of these airports.

Patna Airport: 43.86 lakh passengers

Patna Airport handled around 43.86 lakh passengers during financial year 2025-26, according to the figures available for the report.

That works out to an average of nearly 12,000 passengers per day.

The new terminal at Patna Airport was commissioned in June 2025, while the Bihta civil enclave is being developed as an additional aviation facility for the region.

Gaya Airport: Bihar’s international gateway

Gaya is currently Bihar’s only operational international airport.

It serves tourists and Buddhist pilgrims visiting Bodh Gaya and other religious destinations.

During the period cited, the airport handled 3,20,295 passengers, including around 2,15,506 domestic and 1,04,789 international passengers.

Darbhanga Airport records sharp growth

Darbhanga Airport began commercial operations in November 2020 and has emerged as an important aviation hub for north Bihar.

According to the figures available, the airport handled 7.11 lakh passengers up to February in financial year 2025-26, compared with around 4.52 lakh in the previous financial year.

That represents an increase of approximately 2.58 lakh passengers, or nearly 57%.

A new civil enclave and larger terminal are also being developed at Darbhanga.

The new terminal is being constructed at an estimated cost of around Rs 643 crore over 62,800 square metres. It is planned to have an annual passenger handling capacity of around 30 lakh.

The facility is expected to include 40 check-in counters and five aerobridges.

Purnea Airport shows demand for regional connectivity

Purnea Airport began commercial flight operations in September 2025 and has quickly emerged as an important aviation facility for Seemanchal.

According to the figures provided, more than 2.90 lakh passengers used the airport between September 2025 and August 2026.

The airport handled around one lakh passengers between September 2025 and January 2026 alone, with traffic continuing to increase afterwards.

A new terminal is also planned.

The proposed terminal will cover around 20,250 square metres, with the project targeted for completion by 2028. Parking capacity for around 515 vehicles and five to seven aircraft parking stands are also planned.

What the airport expansion means for Bihar

Bihar’s aviation expansion reflects growing demand for air travel beyond the state capital.

The experience of Darbhanga and Purnea suggests that passengers are willing to use airports closer to their homes when regular flight services are available.

For residents of Seemanchal, Kosi, north Bihar and the Nepal-border districts, new airports could reduce the need for long road journeys to Patna, Darbhanga or Bagdogra.

The projects could also support tourism, business travel, border-area connectivity and regional economic activity.

However, airport construction alone does not guarantee regular commercial flights. Land acquisition, statutory clearances, infrastructure completion, airline participation, route viability and passenger demand will determine whether the proposed facilities ultimately translate into sustainable air services.

With Raxaul now moving into a fresh engineering-consultancy stage and multiple other airport projects at different stages, Bihar’s aviation map is likely to expand significantly in the coming years.