The central government has recently announced the expansion of the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIAP) involving an investment of ₹930 crore, Union Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Rajiv Nayan Choubey said, adding that the third terminal of the BPIAP will come up soon and the Centre has decided to start work on the project from July next year. Following the expansion, the passenger handling capacity of BPIAP will increase from 35 lakh passengers to 80 lakh passengers. Apart from this, the Centre has also been taking steps to resume flight services from the newly-constructed Veer Surendra Sai Airport at Jharsuguda and has floated a tender in this regard, and services will begin by January next year. The Jharsuguda Airport was flagged off by the Prime Minister some time back. While terminal-III will be constructed for the purpose of domestic air passengers and terminals I and II will be dedicated for international flights.
