Patna: Patna’s long-awaited new terminal building is nearing completion, promising to transform the travel experience for millions of passengers passing through Bihar’s busiest airport. With construction of passenger amenities and aesthetic enhancements in their final stages, the airport is now awaiting a green signal from the Prime Minister’s Office to announce the inauguration date.
The new terminal, a significant upgrade from the cramped existing facility, is designed to handle up to one crore passengers annually — more than doubling the current capacity. According to airport officials, the terminal will boast 64 check-in counters, with security check areas expanded fivefold to ease congestion and minimize wait times. Unlike the present building where arrival and departure areas are awkwardly located on the same level, the new facility will offer a modern split-level design with arrivals on the ground floor and departures on the first.
Aircraft handling capacity is also set to improve dramatically. Currently limited to five parking bays, the airport apron is being expanded to accommodate 11 aircraft, five of which will be directly connected to the terminal via aerobridges, providing passengers with much-needed comfort, particularly during Bihar’s extreme weather seasons.
A new multi-level car park, capable of housing 750 vehicles across four floors, is now fully integrated with the terminal via an elevated roadway, offering direct access to arrival and departure points.
Recognising the needs of passengers during flight delays or cancellations, the airport will soon offer dormitory facilities — a first for Patna airport. Additionally, plans are in place to introduce upgraded catering services, bringing Patna in line with the standards of larger airports across the country.
With approximately 45 pairs of flights currently operating daily from Patna, the airport is preparing for a significant expansion in services, including the launch of international flights. By the end of the year, officials anticipate as many as 75 pairs of aircraft movements daily, connecting Patna to new domestic and global destinations.
