Patna Airport Modernisation: New Parking Bays, Apron Redesign And Runway Upgrade

Patna’s Jayprakash Narayan International Airport is undergoing a major transformation as the ageing two-storey terminal, which stood for five decades, has now been completely demolished, making way for state-of-the-art infrastructure including additional parking bays under the Airports Authority of India’s (AAI) modernisation drive, Times of India reported.

The old terminal had already been out of use for three months after all operations were shifted to the new 65,150 sq. m terminal, which opened to passengers on 3 June. By contrast, the old building was just 7,200 sq. m.

According to AAI officials, work is underway on five new parking bays and a redesigned apron area, which will be directly linked to passenger boarding bridges (aerobridges) at the new terminal and connected to the parallel taxi track (PTT). The project, expected to take two to three months, aims to significantly improve aircraft movement.

“Only the parking will be added to the apron area. The PTT has been completed, allowing for better connectivity to the parking bays. This will enhance operational efficiency at Patna airport, saving about a minute or two for aircraft as they won't need to reverse. With the additional parking bays, flights can park overnight and depart early in the morning,” Nilesh Ramchandra Deore, special secretary in the cabinet secretariat and director of civil aviation, Bihar was quoted as saying.

The upgrade also includes a 1,389 metre track alongside the runway, built at a cost of Rs 22 crore, which will cut down aircraft time on the runway, enabling quicker turnarounds and reducing delays.

Once completed, Patna airport will have 11 parking bays, nine Code C for larger aircraft and two for ATRs.

Currently handling 12,000 passengers daily with around 40 flights, the expansion is expected to unlock the airport’s full potential as a regional hub.

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