Bhubaneswar: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is planning multiple projects at Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) to increase its operational capacity and investment potential.
The move comes on the heels of an unofficial survey done by aviation experts that listed BPIA among India’s top 20 busiest airports. Currently, BPIA is handling about 68 flight operations every day. However, it needs a taxiway to increase its operational capacity. In fact, this project is already approved and it is expected to be completed within the next one year.
With the recent success of daily international operations, the BPIA has also decided to go ahead with more projects, including the merger of the two domestic terminals. The merger project will help attract more investment to both terminals.
“Currently, we are experiencing more footfalls at domestic terminal. So merging the terminals will help us in better management of footfalls,” said SC Hota, director, BPIA.
Although the airport has two aerobridges, it needs additional aerobridges for future international operations. “Most of the international operators prefer aerobridges and we are expecting more international operations in the future. Therefore, we decided to have two more aerobridges and one aerobridge will be exclusively for international terminal,” added Hota.
With non-traffic revenues a necessity for ensuring the profitability of airports, the city airport has also earmarked about 60 acres of land at BPIA for commercial projects. AAI is expecting an investment of `2,500 crore with direct and indirect employment generation of 35,000 and 50,000 respectively through the commercial projects at city airport.
Meanwhile, the airport Friday started work on a shaded walkway.
“Shaded walk way and canopy for vehicular lanes will be constructed in front of the domestic terminal (T1) at a cost of `1.92 crore for convenience of passengers in extreme weather conditions. This walkway will continue up to the car parking area. This work will be completed within four months,” Hota said.
With taxiway and other facilities, official are expecting that the BPIA would be able to handle 100 flights per day in near future. However, the airport would not be able to handle wide bodied aircraft; therefore the AAI is planning to have a new international airport in Orissa.
“Since we are expecting more operations, we are sure that we will have to handle wide bodied aircrafts in the future. But, BPIA cannot handle wide bodied aircrafts and that’s why we are planning a new international airport. We expect a new airport in the next 10 or 15 years. Meanwhile, we have to invest at the existing airport to maintain operation potential and for ensuring a better future for the new airport,” added Hota. PNN
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