Patna Airport Reaches Key Infrastructure Milestone with Complete Aerobridge Commissioning
In a significant development for aviation infrastructure in Bihar, the Jayprakash Narayan International Airport in Patna has achieved a crucial operational milestone. The airport has successfully completed the full operationalization of all five passenger boarding bridges, commonly known as aerobridges, at its modern integrated terminal building.
Phased Rollout Culminates in Complete Commissioning
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) granted approval for the commissioning of the fourth and fifth aerobridges, which became operational from January 31. This marked the completion of a carefully planned phased rollout that began with the initial aerobridges and progressed systematically to accommodate the increasing air traffic demands at Bihar's busiest aviation hub.
Inaugural Flights Demonstrate Seamless Operations
The fourth passenger boarding bridge, designated as Aerobridge-4, commenced operations with Air India flight AI-1746 traveling from Delhi to Patna. The aircraft arrived at parking bay number 10 carrying 178 passengers and connected smoothly to boarding gate number 12. The return flight, AI-1819 from Patna to Delhi, departed with 177 passengers aboard, demonstrating the facility's operational readiness from its very first day.
Similarly, the fifth aerobridge began its service with IndiGo flight 6E-6549 arriving from Delhi to Patna. The aircraft parked at bay number 6 with 175 passengers and linked to boarding gate number 12A. The return flight, 6E-6550 from Patna to Delhi, carried 178 passengers, confirming the successful commissioning and operational efficiency of the fifth bridge.
Enhanced Passenger Experience and Operational Benefits
Airport director Chandra Pratap Dwivedi emphasized the transformative impact of this infrastructure upgrade. "With all five aerobridges now fully functional, the airport can provide direct, weather-protected access from the terminal to aircraft for multiple flights simultaneously," he stated.
Dwivedi further explained that this development is expected to deliver multiple benefits:
- Significant streamlining of passenger movement throughout the terminal
- Reduced boarding and deboarding times for travelers
- Improved crowd management within the terminal facilities
- Enhanced overall travel experience, particularly beneficial for families, senior citizens, and passengers with reduced mobility
Modern Terminal Meets Growing Aviation Demands
The new integrated terminal building has been progressively enhanced to manage the steadily growing air traffic at Patna's airport. The completion of all five aerobridges represents a crucial step in the airport's modernization journey, positioning it to better serve the increasing number of passengers traveling through Bihar's primary aviation gateway.
This infrastructure development comes at a time when regional airports across India are witnessing substantial growth in passenger traffic. The operationalization of all aerobridges at Jayprakash Narayan International Airport demonstrates the commitment to improving aviation infrastructure in eastern India and enhancing connectivity for the region's residents.
