Patna, June 2 – The wait is finally over for flyers in Bihar. Starting Tuesday, June 3, the newly constructed terminal building of Jayprakash Narayan International Airport, Patna, will officially begin full-scale operations, marking a transformational leap in passenger experience, airport capacity, and infrastructure standards.

Built by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), this modern terminal is set to deliver a world-class travel experience to both arriving and departing passengers, while boosting operational efficiency and addressing the long-standing infrastructural bottlenecks of the old terminal.

🏢 Terminal Highlights: Modern Architecture Meets Cultural Heritage

Spread over a sprawling 65,150 square metres, the new two-storey terminal has been designed to handle 3,000 passengers during peak hours—1,500 on each level. The ground floor is dedicated to arrivals, while departures are on the first floor.

The terminal offers:

• 64 check-in counters to reduce queues and wait times
• 9 Automatic Tray Retrieval Systems (ATRS) for faster and smoother security checks
• Digi Yatri gates to enable contactless travel
• Four baggage conveyor belts in the arrivals area

Importantly, the terminal houses five aerobridges and 11 boarding gates, ensuring quick boarding and deplaning without the need for buses in most cases.

🛬 Boost in Capacity and Flight Movement

According to airport officials, all domestic flights will shift to the new terminal from 7:00 AM on June 3. The upgraded infrastructure will now support 75 daily arrivals and 75 departures, with the terminal designed to eventually handle up to 1 crore passengers annually, up from the current 25 lakh.

The new apron area is designed to accommodate 11 aircraft simultaneously, including:

• 9 Airbus A320 (Code C)
• 2 ATR aircraft

So far, 7 parking bays have been completed. The remaining bays will be constructed after the demolition of the old terminal, at which point four more aerobridges will also be added.

✈️ New Flights and Air Traffic Status

Uma Shankar, Deputy General Manager (ATM) and Safety Coordinator at Patna Airport, confirmed that flight movement is already on the rise. On Sunday, Air India Express launched new services to Guwahati and Hyderabad, increasing the daily movement count to 98 aircraft.

Currently, there are no proposals for international routes, but with increased capacity and better facilities, authorities are optimistic about expanding connectivity in the near future.

🖼 Cultural Touch & Sustainable Design

What sets the new terminal apart is its thoughtful blend of modern engineering and regional identity. The building’s design is inspired by the ruins of ancient Nalanda, featuring:

• Traditional murals, carvings, and artwork that reflect Bihar’s rich cultural heritage
• An insulated roof, energy-efficient LED lighting, and heat-reflective glazing
• These design elements are aimed at earning the terminal a 4-star GRIHA eco-rating

This mix of tradition and innovation showcases Bihar’s historical roots while embracing sustainability and future-readiness.

🚗 Parking & Access: Easier, Smarter, and More Efficient

A new multilevel car parking (MLCP) facility for 1,100 vehicles will also become operational from June 3, significantly easing traffic congestion on the city side of the airport.

Access layout:

• Departing passengers will use a flyover to directly reach the departure level
• Arriving passengers will exit directly from the arrivals zone at the ground floor

Parking fees remain unchanged:

• Buses: ₹30 for 30 mins | ₹70 for 2 hrs
• Cars/SUVs/Minibuses: ₹20 for 30 mins | ₹60 for 2 hrs
• Cars (2-hour rate): ₹55
• Two-wheelers: ₹10 for 30 mins | ₹15 for 2 hrs
• Commercial vehicles (pick-up zone): ₹40 for 7 mins | ₹500 penalty after 7 mins

These parking provisions aim to improve traffic circulation and prevent congestion, especially during peak hours.

🗣 What Officials Are Saying

“This milestone is a significant upgrade in infrastructure, designed to improve both the quality of service for travellers and operational efficiency,” said an AAI official.

“With the shift complete and more space available, we expect airlines to increase operations in the near future,” added Uma Shankar.

🚧 What’s Next?

• Demolition of the old terminal will begin soon to make way for further expansion
• Construction of additional aerobridges and parking bays is scheduled as part of Phase 2
• Stakeholders hope for international flight connectivity in the near future, leveraging the upgraded facilities

📍 Summary

With modern architecture, cutting-edge technology, cultural identity, and sustainability at its core, Patna’s new airport terminal stands as a testament to Bihar’s evolving infrastructure and economic aspirations. The enhanced capacity and passenger experience promise to put Patna on the map as a serious aviation hub in eastern India.