By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: In the upcoming year, Patna Airport is set to commence international flight services, with the new operations expected to be available by March. The construction of a new terminal building is progressing swiftly to accommodate these services. The new terminal will be seven times larger than the current one, spanning 65,000 square feet and boasting an annual passenger capacity of over 8 million. In comparison, the old terminal could only handle 2.5 million passengers per year.
In addition, ramps are being constructed to provide access to the upper floor of the airport, allowing passengers to directly reach the pick-up and drop-off areas. The new terminal will also feature enhanced aesthetics. To address parking needs, a five-storey parking facility, capable of holding 750 vehicles, has been completed near the entry gate. For added convenience, travellers will have access to travelators connecting the parking facility to the terminal, making the 200 to 300-metre distance easier to cover.
Once international services commence, travellers from Bihar will no longer need to rely on airports in Delhi or Kolkata for flights abroad. Initially, Patna Airport will offer international flights to destinations including Kathmandu, Myanmar, and Singapore. Additionally, flights to Thailand, catering to Buddhist monks, may also be introduced.
In other developments, the new airline Akasa Airlines is expected to begin operations from Patna Airport soon. Sources suggest that Akasa will launch its domestic flight service from Patna to Delhi by the end of this year. With both Indigo and Akasa Airlines providing international services, there is anticipation that these companies will soon operate flights from Patna to Kathmandu and Singapore.
