Bhubaneswar: Domestic air connectivity at Biju Patnaik International Airport has decreased from 28 to 18 destinations, but it is anticipated to return to normal in August, as at least six of the ten dropped locations are expected to be reconnected. This comes as Air India’s low-cost subsidiary, Air India Express, is expanding its fleet with the addition of 24 new aircraft, according to sources.
The six destinations likely to be reinstated include Jharsuguda, Lucknow, Indore, Dehradun, Jaipur, and Goa. The remaining four destinations that have been removed from the roster are MOPA, Port Blair, Cochin, and Hindon.
Sources indicate that aircraft deliveries are scheduled for July, with a new flight plan expected to roll out in August. “A total of 24 aircraft, including Airbus 320/321 and Boeing 737 models, are set to be acquired in July. The airline will undoubtedly utilize its aircraft across various locations rather than leaving them idle. Previously, Air India Express has operated flights to smaller airports as well. Therefore, we can expect a revival of the domestic sector in August,” stated a senior airport official.
Airport director Prasanna Pradhan highlighted the operational advantages of Bhubaneswar, noting that the commissioning of the Parallel Taxi Track and Rapid Exit Taxiway on April 16 has allowed for quicker runway clearance after landings. Sources mentioned that even if the airline deploys just four of the 24 aircraft, they could schedule multiple flights covering six to seven destinations.
Following the removal of ten domestic and two international destinations (Singapore and Dubai), daily passenger traffic at the airport has declined by approximately 1,200 to 1,500. “Restoring services to six destinations could recover at least 800 to 1,000 passengers. The situation will likely improve further in the winter schedule, as this period is typically profitable,” the official added.
The annual passenger count at Bhubaneswar airport surpassed the 5 million mark in November, with over 400,000 monthly and 14,000 to 15,000 daily passengers. Sources indicated that, aside from Cochin, Hindon, MOPA, and Port Blair, the other dropped destinations, such as Jharsuguda, had no issues with passenger traffic. The Jharsuguda-Bhubaneswar flight, which has a capacity of 70 seats, was fully booked daily, but the airline cited commercial reasons for halting the service.
