Patna: In a strategic push to elevate Bihar’s air connectivity and invigorate its tourism sector, the state cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, has recently approved Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to subsidize international flight operations from Patna and Gaya airports. This decision, part of 26 key resolutions passed during the meeting, aims to make global routes economically viable for airlines, fostering direct links to key destinations and attracting foreign visitors to Bihar’s rich heritage sites.
Additional Chief Secretary (Cabinet) S Siddharth, addressing the media post-meeting, emphasized the scheme’s role in offsetting operational costs. “This financial support will encourage direct flights and promote frequent visits by foreign tourists, boosting Bihar’s tourism sector,” Siddharth said.
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Under the initiative, airlines operating round-trip flights with a minimum capacity of 150 passengers will receive up to ₹5 lakh per round trip for the Patna-Kathmandu route from Jay Prakash Narayan International (JPNI) Airport. For Gaya International Airport, incentives reach up to ₹10 lakh per round trip each for connections to Sharjah, Bangkok, Singapore, and Colombo. The policy, valid for an initial two-year period, includes annual assistance of around ₹18 crore for Patna-Kathmandu and ₹36 crore per Gaya route, with support limited to six months per new route. Airlines will be selected via competitive bidding, prioritizing those requiring the least VGF, and must comply with DGCA regulations.
To further entice carriers, the government has slashed Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) tax to just 1%. “We have urged all airlines to commence services on these routes, ensuring direct connectivity between the cities,” Siddharth added.
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This move builds on Bihar’s ongoing aviation modernization efforts. The JPNI Airport in Patna recently unveiled a revamped terminal in June 2025, constructed at ₹1,200 crore, enhancing passenger capacity and facilities. Expansions are also underway at Gaya and Darbhanga airports, with land acquisitions progressing to accommodate growing traffic. At Darbhanga, the government sanctioned ₹245 crore in January 2025 for 90 acres to extend the runway and bolster infrastructure.
Looking ahead, the state is set to operationalize a new airport at Purnea, where commercial flights from the existing defence airbase are expected to begin in the next few months following the completion of a makeshift terminal. Purnea is poised to evolve into a major international hub, with expansion projects targeted for completion by late 2025. Meanwhile, efforts to enable civilian operations at Bihta Air Force base, 40 km west of Patna, are advancing rapidly. Construction of a 66,000 sqm terminal began in mid-July 2025 at ₹1,413 crore, featuring 64 check-in counters, five aerobridges, and capacity for 10 million passengers annually by 2027.
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The project includes runway extension to 12,000 feet, sustainable designs like LED lighting, and cultural elements such as Mithila art. Bihta will alleviate congestion at Patna’s main airport, supporting larger aircraft and potentially international flights, while driving trade, healthcare, and education access.
Beyond these, the Bihar Budget 2025-26 outlined ambitious plans to develop 15 airports, up from the current three operational ones (Patna, Gaya, Darbhanga). With ₹11,500 lakh allocated, the initiative includes greenfield projects at Rajgir (Nalanda), Sultanganj (Bhagalpur), and Raxaul (Forbesganj), plus smaller facilities under the UDAN scheme at Bhagalpur, Valmikinagar (West Champaran), Birpur (Supaul), Madhubani, Munger, Saharsa, and Muzaffarpur. In-principle approval has been secured for greenfield airports at Bhagalpur and Sonepur (Saran), with a proposed international greenfield near Patna for long-term growth over 50-70 years. Bihta’s capacity enhancement targets commercial flights by 2027, while six additional UDAN airports—Madhubani, Birpur, Munger, Valmiki Nagar, Muzaffarpur, and Saharsa—received cabinet nods in June 2025 for MoUs with the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
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These developments are designed to supercharge tourism, particularly the Buddhist Circuit centered on Bodh Gaya’s Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enhanced connectivity to Southeast Asia and the Middle East is expected to draw more pilgrims from Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and beyond, where seasonal flights have historically operated from October to March. Officials project thousands of jobs, increased trade, and cultural exchanges, positioning Bihar as an emerging hub. The VGF scheme aligns with the central RCS-UDAN program, making air travel affordable and stimulating economic growth.
Tuesday’s (August 26, 2025) cabinet also approved hikes in honorariums for farmer advisors, modifications to a luxury hotel project in Vaishali, and increased commissions for public distribution system dealers, reflecting a multifaceted governance approach.
With these initiatives, Bihar is charting a flight path toward global integration, transforming its aviation landscape to unlock tourism potential and propel socio-economic progress. As Siddharth noted, the incentives will offset costs, inviting airlines to bridge Bihar with the world.
