Passenger occupancy on several domestic routes from Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Bhubaneswar has fallen below 40% during the monsoon season, forcing airlines to scale back operations and suspend select flights.
Airport Director Prasanna Pradhan confirmed that the Kochi flight has been withdrawn due to poor bookings. Services are expected to resume closer to the festive season when travel demand typically rises, according to a report in The Times of India.
Low Occupancy Hits Multiple Routes
Flights connecting Bhubaneswar to Kochi, Port Blair, Indore, and Dehradun have seen consistent underperformance, with fewer than four out of ten seats being filled.
Currently, Bhubaneswar is connected to 30 domestic destinations, but flights to Durgapur, Indore, and Port Blair run only four days a week, unlike the daily services to Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai.
Concerns Over International Connectivity
Adding to worries, reports suggest that IndiGo may discontinue the only direct Bhubaneswar–Dubai service from October 24.
The thrice-weekly flight — launched in May 2023 to much fanfare — was hailed as a crucial link for the Odia diaspora and local businesses. Its potential suspension would force passengers to rely on connecting flights, such as the recently introduced Bhubaneswar–Abu Dhabi route.
Expansion Plans Continue
Despite the dip in passenger traffic, the Centre has approved plans for a third terminal (T-3) at BPIA. Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu said the terminal would highlight Odisha’s culture and heritage in its design and significantly boost capacity.
Officials also confirmed that some of Odisha’s 20 airstrips may be upgraded into full-fledged airports in coordination with the state government to improve regional connectivity.
