Patna: In a move aimed at improving the travel experience for flyers, the Jayprakash Narayan International Airport in Patna commissioned its third passenger boarding bridge (aerobridge), linked to Boarding Gate Number 11 at the departure lounge of the new integrated terminal building. The facility became operational with immediate effect after receiving approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).The first flight to use the newly commissioned aerobridge was SpiceJet’s SG-672 operating on the Bengaluru-Patna sector. The aircraft, carrying 188 passengers, was parked at parking bay number 9 and successfully connected to the aerobridge. Subsequently, the return flight SG-674 on the Patna-Bengaluru sector departed with 187 passengers on board.Airport director Chandra Pratap Dwivedi said the addition is expected to streamline passenger movement, reduce boarding and de-boarding time and enhance overall operational efficiency at the airport, particularly as passenger traffic continues to rise.The city airport has undergone significant upgrades in recent years as part of the Bihar govt’s push to strengthen aviation connectivity. The new integrated terminal building, inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi in May 2025 at a cost of around Rs 1,200 crore, is spread in an area of more than 65,000 square metres and has been designed to handle up to 1 crore passengers annually. The terminal is equipped with modern amenities, including expanded check-in counters, improved security systems, VIP lounges and enhanced aircraft parking bays.The terminal was planned with a total of five aerobridges to facilitate efficient aircraft operations. The first aerobridge became operational with the opening of the terminal, followed by the second in Nov 2025. Airport authorities had indicated that the remaining aerobridges, including the third, would be commissioned in phases, with full operationalisation of all five expected by early 2026 to meet growing demand. These developments are aligned with broader modernisation efforts, including an increase in aircraft parking stands, taking the total capacity to 11 bays.Dwivedi said the remaining two aerobridges, along with their corresponding parking bays, are already complete and awaiting final clearance from the DGCA for commissioning.
