Bihar is set to welcome its fourth airport as Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to inaugurate Purnea Airport in the Seemanchal region on Monday. This follows the new terminal at Patna Airport and the foundation stone laying for a civil enclave at Bihta near Patna.

The Bihar government plans to expand the state’s air connectivity by developing 15 airports, a significant increase from the current three, with a proposed investment of Rs 115 million, according to the March assembly budget.

Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary stated that the Purnea airport, currently a defence airbase, is expected to commence commercial flight operations within three months after the makeshift terminal’s completion.

IndiGo and Star Air will launch direct flights from Purnea to Kolkata and Ahmedabad, respectively, starting Monday. IndiGo will operate thrice-weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays using ATR aircraft. Flight 6E 7924 will depart Kolkata at 12:30 pm and arrive in Purnea at 1:40 pm, with the return flight 6E 7925 leaving Purnea at 2:30 pm and landing in Kolkata at 3:40 pm.

Star Air will operate inaugural flights between Ahmedabad and Purnea from September 15, also on a thrice-weekly schedule.

With assembly elections approaching and the festive season underway, enhanced air connectivity is expected to benefit Bihar’s large migrant population, particularly during Diwali and Chhath Puja, providing greater travel options.