Patna: Patna Airport has witnessed a record surge in passenger traffic as the Chhath festival draws thousands of migrants back to Bihar from major Indian cities. Trains and buses are struggling to accommodate the influx, prompting a sharp increase in air travel.
Data from Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport shows that flights and passenger numbers have climbed steadily throughout October. On October 2, 82 flights carried 10,048 passengers; by 24 October, 118 flights served 14,458 travellers. On October 25 alone, 116 flights transported 16,300 passengers.
The surge is largely driven by festival-goers returning from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Pune. Arrivals have consistently outnumbered departures, with 9,166 people arriving on October 16 compared with 3,473 departures, and 9,819 arrivals versus 4,690 departures on October 23.
Airport management reported an average of 98 flights per day during this period, an 18% increase from the previous month. Average daily passenger traffic has risen from around 11,000 to nearly 13,000.
In response to the crowds, the airport has deployed extra staff across security, boarding and parking, alongside special measures to manage congestion. Officials anticipate further increases in flights in the lead-up to Chhath and Diwali, with airlines being allocated additional slots to meet demand.
