Patna: Passengers at Jayprakash Narayan International Airport in Patna will soon have a smoother boarding experience, with a second aerobridge set to become operational by November 15. Airport authorities confirmed that this marks a significant step in improving passenger amenities and overall efficiency at Bihar’s busiest airport.
According to Patna Airport Director Chandra Prakash Dwivedi, the second aerobridge is fully ready and is currently awaiting approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Once operational, the airport will have two functioning aerobridges, easing congestion and improving turnaround times for flights.
“The apron for the third aerobridge has also been completed,” Dwivedi said, adding that the remaining three aerobridges are expected to become operational by December 31. “Our target is to make all five aerobridges functional before the end of the year. Work is progressing at a rapid pace.”
The development follows the inauguration of the new terminal building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 29, which has been designed to handle the rising passenger load at the airport. Spread over 65,155 square metres, the new terminal features 54 check-in counters, eight X-ray baggage scanners, five conveyor belts, and 11 boarding gates, designed to handle up to 3,000 passengers at peak hours.
At present, only one of the five aerobridges is operational, forcing passengers to board and disembark in the open — a frequent inconvenience during extreme weather conditions. Once all five are functional, airport officials say the boarding process will be faster, safer, and more comfortable, especially during monsoons and the winter fog season.
