The airport was dedicated to the people of Odisha on 17 April 1962, becoming the first ever commercial airport in the state. The airport boasts two active scheduled passenger terminals i.e. Terminals 1 and 2 for domestic and international passengers respectively. Former Minister of Civil Aviation, Ajit Singh, on 5 March 2013, inaugurated Terminal 1 which caters to domestic passengers whereas Terminal 2 was then refurbished to handle international operations. The Government of India accorded international status to the airport on 30 October 2013.
Terminals
Biju Patnaik Airport serves as one of the major civil aviation hubs in Eastern India. The airport boasts two active scheduled passenger terminals i.e. Terminals 1 and 2 for domestic and international passengers respectively.
Terminal 1
Inaugurated in March 2013, the terminal has a capacity of 4 million passengers per annum and was built at a cost of 1.45 billion by Lanco Infratech. The new terminal has been developed by the AAI as part of the upgrade of 35 non-metro airports across the country. Terminal T1, a two-storied building with a total area of, consists of 4 aerobridges, 4 elevators, several escalators, 18 check-in counters, 3 arrival luggage conveyors, a spa, and multiple seating areas. Apart from the Departure and Arrival Lounges, T1 terminal also has several other lounges, including VIP Lounges, Pal Heights Spa Lounge, Dakota Lounge and Mayfair Lounge. The terminal is environment-friendly, built according to green building standards, with sewage treatment plants and provision for rain water harvesting. The internal walls of the terminal are decorated with tribal motifs, designs, masks, and sculptures derived from Odisha's culture. The new terminal also has food kiosks, gift shops, bookstores, art galleries and handloom/handicraft kiosks.
Terminal 2
Terminal 2 handles international operations to and from the airport. It was built in the mid 1960s to cater domestic flights. The terminal being built over an area of, consists of 6 check-in counters, 10 immigration counters, 4 customs counters, numerous amenities and multiple seating areas. A link building connecting Terminal 1 and 2 is being constructed with a budget of 872 million. It will be mostly used for international arrivals.
Terminal 3, is a proposed passenger terminal, to be set up at a cost of 9.13 billion with a total area of. The terminal would handle 8 million passengers per annum, expanding Biju Patnaik International Airport's capacity to 11.5 million from 3.5 million passengers per annum. The construction work for the terminal is poised to begin in July 2019, with a given construction duration of three years. This terminal, once completed would handle domestic passengers, and the existing terminals 1 and 2 would then cater international passengers.
The Coast Guard Air Enclave along with the 743 Dornier Squadron was commissioned by former Vice-Admiral Anurag G Thapliyal, Director General of the Indian Coast Guard in Biju Patnaik International Airport on 15 December 2014. The units operate under the operational and administrative control of the Commander of the Coast Guard Region through the Commander, Coast Guard District No 7. Several strategic air operations are streamlined and synergised for the protection of the sea areas off the Coastal Odisha.
Airlines and destinations
Incidents
On 22 December 2007, while Surya Kiran, Indian Air Force's aerobatics demonstration team, was undergoing training exercise, one of its four HAL HJT-16 Kiran jets, after refuelling and takeoff, caught fire and crash landed on the runway of Biju Patnaik Airport. The pilot was safely rescued with minor injuries and the exercise was immediately called off after the mishap.
