Patna: Patna Airport has urged airlines to expand their services, citing improved infrastructure and rising passenger demand. Management has written to carriers asking them to increase the number of flights, with the claim that the airport will soon be able to handle 100 aircraft movements a day.
The Rs 1,200 crore terminal project, recently completed, has significantly boosted both passenger facilities and aircraft parking capacity. The airport can now accommodate 11 aircraft at once, and officials say it is equipped to provide round-the-clock service.
At present, Patna sees 80 daily flights, with Delhi commanding the highest frequency at 26, followed by Bengaluru with 10, and Mumbai and Hyderabad with eight each. Despite this, heavy passenger traffic continues to strain services, particularly on the Delhi route, which remains the busiest due to onward international connections.
Airport officials argue that more flights are urgently needed not only to Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Hyderabad but also to Ahmedabad, while services to Madhya Pradesh—which are currently absent—must be reinstated. An increase in capacity, they add, would likely lower fares, which rise steeply as seats fill up.
With the new terminal in place, management has also requested airlines to resume night operations, pointing out that while flights currently stop at 11 p.m., the upgraded facilities allow for services throughout the night. “There is no reason for the airport to remain idle between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.,” an official said.
The push for expanded operations comes as Patna Airport attempts to position itself as a regional hub, balancing passenger demand with improved infrastructure and enhanced flight capacity.
