‘Passenger footfall expected to reach 15 million by 2035'
The busiest airport in Odisha – and the only one operating international flights in the state – BPIA's annual passenger footfall is expected to grow further from 4.8 million annually in the near future.
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Riyan Ramanath speaks to BPIA's director, Prasanna Pradhan, as the airport adopts new technology and safety measures to keep up with the changing times. Excerpts:
BPIA has been adopting all types of modern avionics to keep pace with changing aviation requirements. What are the airport's future plans in terms of use of technology?
BPIA has been steadily adopting modern technologies to enhance operational efficiency and safety.
Considering the traffic volume and complexity of air traffic, BPIA is equipped with all types of modern communication, navigation and surveillance systems to provide Air Traffic Control Service to aircraft operating from/to Bhubaneswar airport.
Safety and security of passengers has been a concern in view of the recent plane crash in Ahmedabad. What are the lessons that BPIA needs to learn and where does it need to take corrective measures?
In view of the recent plane crash, BPIA has already conducted a safety review/audit of aircraft operation by a committee constituting all operational heads.
The airport fire station is prepared to handle any accident. We have also updated the airport emergency plan.
How is BPIA prepared to tackle bird strikes?
A trained bird and wildlife hazard control team operates throughout the day at the airport as it monitors and patrols areas like the runway, taxiways and apron. Frequent runway and airfield inspections are conducted to spot and remove things that often attract birds like food, water or nesting areas.
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Awareness drives are also conducted in surrounding areas of the airport to discourage practices that attract birds.
How do you see the safety apparatus of small airports and airstrips in Odisha?
As far as safety is concerned, all airports comply with DGCA's regulation standards.
How do you see the passenger footfall growing in the next 10 years?
BPIA handles over 4.8 million passengers annually right now and with a rising middle class, a boom in tourism, increase in business travel and growth in mining, steel, IT, health and education sectors, the number is expected to increase further. As per our projection, the annual passenger footfall is expected to reach 15 million by 2035. The airport's domestic connectivity is strong and annually growing at 16% and though international flights are limited at the moment, they are increasing.
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Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
‘Passenger footfall expected to reach 15 million by 2035'
The busiest airport in Odisha – and the only one operating international flights in the state – BPIA's annual passenger footfall is expected to grow further from 4.8 million annually in the near future. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Riyan Ramanath speaks to BPIA's director, Prasanna Pradhan, as the airport adopts new technology and safety measures to keep up with the changing times. Excerpts: BPIA has been adopting all types of modern avionics to keep pace with changing aviation requirements. What are the airport's future plans in terms of use of technology? BPIA has been steadily adopting modern technologies to enhance operational efficiency and safety. Considering the traffic volume and complexity of air traffic, BPIA is equipped with all types of modern communication, navigation and surveillance systems to provide Air Traffic Control Service to aircraft operating from/to Bhubaneswar airport. Safety and security of passengers has been a concern in view of the recent plane crash in Ahmedabad. What are the lessons that BPIA needs to learn and where does it need to take corrective measures? In view of the recent plane crash, BPIA has already conducted a safety review/audit of aircraft operation by a committee constituting all operational heads. The airport fire station is prepared to handle any accident. We have also updated the airport emergency plan. How is BPIA prepared to tackle bird strikes? A trained bird and wildlife hazard control team operates throughout the day at the airport as it monitors and patrols areas like the runway, taxiways and apron. Frequent runway and airfield inspections are conducted to spot and remove things that often attract birds like food, water or nesting areas. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Awareness drives are also conducted in surrounding areas of the airport to discourage practices that attract birds. How do you see the safety apparatus of small airports and airstrips in Odisha? As far as safety is concerned, all airports comply with DGCA's regulation standards. How do you see the passenger footfall growing in the next 10 years? BPIA handles over 4.8 million passengers annually right now and with a rising middle class, a boom in tourism, increase in business travel and growth in mining, steel, IT, health and education sectors, the number is expected to increase further. As per our projection, the annual passenger footfall is expected to reach 15 million by 2035. The airport's domestic connectivity is strong and annually growing at 16% and though international flights are limited at the moment, they are increasing.
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Time of India
Air India cancels eight flights as post-crash safety checks hit operations across major domestic and international routes
Air India cancelled at least eight more flights on Friday, citing ongoing maintenance and operational checks. These continued disruptions come after the June 12 Ahmedabad–London Gatwick Dreamliner crash that left 271 dead, including more than 30 people on the ground. The airline remains under increased scrutiny, as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) intensifies safety checks across the Boeing 787 fleet. Affected routes on June 20 Friday's cancellations included both international and domestic routes. Among the international flights called off were AI906 (Dubai–Chennai), AI308 (Delhi–Melbourne), AI309 (Melbourne–Delhi), and AI2204 (Dubai–Hyderabad). On the domestic side, the affected flights included AI874 (Pune–Delhi), AI456 (Ahmedabad–Delhi), and AI2872 (Hyderabad–Mumbai). These cancellations follow a week of similar disruptions, most notably on Tuesday, when 13 Dreamliner-operated flights were grounded. This included AI-159, the revised flight number for the Ahmedabad–London route previously listed as AI-171. That aircraft was expected to resume services but remained grounded due to aircraft unavailability. DGCA oversight and safety status The DGCA has ordered detailed safety reviews of Air India's Dreamliner aircraft. As per updates shared on June 18, 24 of the 33 Boeing 787s in Air India's fleet had undergone safety inspections. Two aircraft are currently listed as AOG (Aircraft on Ground) at Delhi Airport due to maintenance requirements. Since the crash, a total of 66 Dreamliner flights have been cancelled. On the day of the incident alone, six Dreamliner-operated services were halted. The regulatory body continues to schedule more aircraft for inspection in the coming days as the situation evolves. Operational challenges continue Air India's flight cancellations reflect a broader challenge in managing safety demands and maintaining operational continuity. As maintenance and checks proceed, the airline is working to stabilise its schedules and address logistical pressures across its domestic and international safety checks still ongoing, Air India faces growing disruptions as it balances regulatory demands with maintaining essential flight services.
Hindustan Times
20 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Air India cancels 8 flights citing enhanced maintenance. Full list
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