Sushant Ranjan

Patna, 7th May 2021: As many as 78,318 footfalls registered at the Jaiprakash Narayan International Airport, known as Patna airport in the last 11 days with 781 flights (both arrival and departure). However, the number of arrival passengers has more than the number of departures. A total of 56,914 passengers arrived by 391 flights and 21,404 passengers departed from 390 flights.

However, the Patna airport administration had announced 96 flights (each 48-48 in arrival and departure) for the summer schedule on March 30. The schedule was affected from April 5 to 30.

In the mid of April, the second wave of coronavirus started spreading across the country, it has forced many states to lockdown for 10 to 15 days. Bihar is also facing the same situation. The state government had announced lockdown in the state from May 5 to 15. After the announcement of the lockdown in many states, people started arriving at Patna.

As per the data provided by the Airport Authority of India (AAI), on April 25, a total of 96 flights (46 arrivals and 46 departures) operated from Patna airport. As many as 9639 passengers footfalls registered at the airport, in which 6662 passengers arrived and 2977 passengers were departed. After that, the number of flights started reducing as the number of departure of passengers was started reducing.

The data showed, on April 28, a total of 66 flights were operated (arrived 33, depart 33) in which 5178 passengers arrived and only 1955 passengers departed. Similarly, on May 4, 27 flights arrived and 27 departed, in which 3835 passengers arrived and 1355 were departed.

Less number of passengers forced airlines to cancel and divert some flights. The direct flights for Hyderabad, Bangalore and Pune are cancelled and sent passengers through connecting flights.

A senior officer of India airlines on condition of anonymity said, “Past few days we have registered a less number of passengers departing from the Patna airport from our flight. Also, some of our flights are operating to carry medical items from foreign countries. In this situation, we cannot operate direct flights from Patna to some destination. However, we diverted flights and made arrangements for them.”

May 6, Flight arrived 32, depart 31. Passengers Arrived 4028, Depart 1535. Total 5563

May 5, Flight arrived 33, depart 33, passengers arrived 4408, depart 1529. Total 5937

May 4, Flight arrived 27, depart 27, passengers arrived 3835, depart 1355. Total 5190

May 3, Flight arrived 35, depart 35, Passengers arrived 5132, Depart 1627. Total 6759

May 2, Flight arrived 41, depart 41, Passengers arrived 5691, Depart 2720. Total 8411

May 1, Flight arrived 36, depart 36, Passengers arrived 5397, Depart 1985. Total 7382

Apr 30, Flight arrived 40, depart 40, Passengers arrived 6361, Depart 2237. Total 8598

Apr 29, Flight arrived 35, depart 35, Passengers arrived 5391, Depart 1768. Total 7159

Apr 28, Flight arrived 33, depart 33, Passengers arrived 5178, Depart 1955. Total 7133

Apr 27, Flight arrived 40, depart 40, Passengers arrived 5857, Depart 2204. Total 8061

Apr 26, Flight arrived 39, depart 39, Passengers arrived 5636, Depart 2489. Total 8125

Total Flight Arrival- 391

Total Flight Departure- 390

Total Arrival Passengers- 56914

Total Departure Passengers- 21404

Total Flights Movement- 781

Total Passengers Movement- 78318