Purnia airport crosses 1 lakh flyer mark in less than 5 months

Patna: Purnia Airport has achieved a major milestone by serving over 1 lakh passengers till Jan 31, 2026, underscoring its growing role in strengthening regional air connectivity in Bihar. Commercial operations at the airport began on Sept 15 last year.Airport director Deep Prakash Gupta said the airport crossed the 50,000-passenger mark on Dec 12, 2025—less than three months after the launch of commercial flights. “Continuing its strong growth momentum, the airport has now surpassed the 1 lakh passenger milestone in a remarkably short period. This rapid rise reflects increasing public confidence and growing demand for air travel in the Seemanchal region and nearby areas,” he said.To enhance passenger convenience, car parking services have been introduced, including secure night parking facilities. Expansion of the parking area is also underway to accommodate increasing footfall. In addition, a four-lane road connecting NH-31 to Purnia Airport is in the planning and development phase, aimed at improving surface access for travellers.The airport has also demonstrated efficient emergency response. Recently, three to four medical emergencies were handled promptly and strictly as per Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Effective coordination among doctors, airline staff, the Indian Air Force (IAF), and Air Traffic Control (ATC) ensured timely assistance and passenger safety.On the infrastructure front, construction of a new apron by the Airports Authority of India is progressing rapidly and is expected to be operational soon. Located closer to the terminal building, the apron will reduce aircraft turnaround time, improve operational efficiency, speed up baggage delivery, and enhance overall passenger experience.As part of inclusive facilities, tactile flooring has been installed inside the terminal to create guided pathways for visually impaired passengers, helping them navigate safely and independently.Further strengthening future capacity, the tendering process for a new full-fledged terminal building is in progress. Once completed, it will significantly increase passenger-handling capacity and improve service standards.“Talks between the Indian Air Force and the Bihar state govt are at an advanced stage for acquiring approximately 15 acres of land needed for installing an Instrument Landing System (ILS). Once operational, the ILS will facilitate aircraft movement in low visibility and adverse weather, improving reliability, reducing delays, and minimising diversions,” the director added.