Flight operations to begin from airport's new terminal tomorrow
Patna: The long wait is over. Flyers to and from Patna will now experience world-class amenities as the newly constructed terminal building of Jayprakash Narayan International Airport opens to the public on Tuesday (June 3).
The two-storey terminal, with arrivals on the ground floor and departures on the first, is built to accommodate 3,000 passengers at peak hours – 1,500 on each floor. Spread across 65,150 square metres, the facility boasts five aerobridges and 11 boarding gates to ensure smooth boarding and disembarkation. Passengers will benefit from modern comforts, including spacious lounges, varied dining options, retail outlets and enhanced seating areas.
According to Airports Authority of India (AAI) officials, all flight operations will shift to the new terminal from 7am on June 3. "This milestone is a significant upgrade in infrastructure, designed to improve both the quality of service for travellers and operational efficiency. The shifting process from the existing terminal to the new facility is in the final stage," said an official.
The terminal houses 64 check-in counters, nine automatic tray retrieval systems (ATRS), Digi Yatri gates for contactless travel, security checks on the first floor and four conveyor belts in the arrivals hall.
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With this expansion, the annual passenger handling capacity will rise from 25 lakh to 1 crore. The new apron accommodates 11 aircraft (nine Code C-A320 and two ATR), of which seven parking bays have been constructed so far.
"The remaining parking bays will be constructed after demolishing the old terminal. The base for four aerobridges will come up at the same location to provide direct connectivity with the apron," the official added.
The terminal is equipped to manage 75 arrivals and 75 departures daily. Presently, the airport handles 98 aircraft movements with two new flights added on Sunday.
Uma Shankar, deputy general manager (ATM) and safety investigation coordinator at Patna airport, said, "Air India Express on Sunday started two flights, one each for Guwahati and Hyderabad. Total arrivals and departures have increased to 98. Once operations begin at the new terminal, airlines will increase services.
At present, we have not received proposals for any new routes or international flights."
The terminal's design pays tribute to Bihar's rich cultural heritage with traditional artwork, murals and carvings. Inspired by the ruins of Nalanda, the building includes an insulated roofing system, LED lighting and heat-minimising glazing for energy efficiency, targeting a 4-star GRIHA eco-rating.
A new entrance gate has been built for the terminal.
Departing passengers will take the flyover to reach the departure level while arriving passengers will exit directly from the arrivals area.
The multilevel car park (MLCP) on the city side will also open from June 3, offering space for 1,100 vehicles. Parking fees remain unchanged. Buses will be charged Rs 30 for 30 minutes and Rs 70 for up to two hours; SUVs, cars and minibuses Rs 20 for 30 minutes and Rs 60 for up to two hours. For cars, the fee is Rs 55 for two hours and two-wheelers will be charged Rs 10 for half an hour and Rs 15 for up to two hours. Commercial vehicles in the pick-up zone will incur a fee of Rs 40 with a penalty of Rs 500 if they exceed a seven-minute stay.
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