Bhubaneswar: The fast-growing Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Odisha capital has witnessed an upward trend in international passenger traffic during May, 2018 compared to the same period last year. The airport registered 47.6 per cent rise in overseas passenger movement.

As per the official data from the Airport Authority of India (AAI), the BPIA handled 10789 passengers in May this year compared to 7308 passengers during the same period last year.

The airport has also handled more overseas flights movement during the period. The total number of international aircraft movements during May last year was 36 and it has gone to 89 in May this year, registering a whopping 147.2 per cent, the data shows.

The airport officials are happy seeing the figures and quite confident that the international traffic at the airport will grow in near future for several reasons.

"In terms of international passenger movement, the numbers of fliers flowing out of the state were higher than those flowing in. The movement was majorly on Middle East destinations. Also, it is due to the increased movement of flights that spurred the growth,” said BPIA Director Suresh Chandra Hota.

At present, direct flights from Bhubaneswar to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Dubai are avaialbe.

Similarly, domestic passenger traffic and flight movements are on an upswing at the airport in the month of May this year.

In May, 2017, the airport handled over 246358 passengers and in May, 2018, the number has gone up to 349292, registering an increase of 41.8 per cent.

If we add both domestic and international passengers, the airport handled over 360081 passengers in May this year compared to 253666 during same period last year.

In domestic aircraft movements, the airport has also witnessed a good growth during the period. The airport has handled 2486 flights in May this year against 1505 same time last year.