Bhubaneswar Airport Faces Connectivity Crisis as International Flights Halted

Biju Patnaik International Airport has entered a turbulent phase with the suspension of all international flights since July 18, 2026.

The last Bangkok service carried 64 passengers outbound and 140 inbound, marking the end of Odisha’s direct overseas connectivity for now.

Domestic operations have also shrunk, with the airport now serving only 19 Indian cities compared to over 30 destinations earlier.

Officials expect international services to resume in October, but the current gap has raised concerns across tourism, industry, and business sectors.

Travel agencies warn that routing passengers through Kolkata adds cost and inconvenience, potentially discouraging inbound tourism.

Passenger traffic data shows growth in 2022–23, but the present decline threatens Odisha’s long‑term growth prospects.

Currently, the airport handles 90–100 flights daily, carrying 12,000–15,000 passengers.

Experts believe restoring connectivity is vital for Odisha’s economic momentum and Bhubaneswar’s role as a gateway city.