In a move aimed at enhancing passenger convenience, Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) will introduce a single check-in system for international travellers under the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s hub-and-spoke model. Bhubaneswar has been identified as one of five spoke airports, with Delhi designated as the primary international hub.
Under the new system, passengers flying abroad from Bhubaneswar will be able to complete check-in, baggage drop, immigration and customs formalities at the origin airport itself before boarding their domestic flight to Delhi.
Passengers will be issued two boarding passes at Bhubaneswar—one for the domestic sector to Delhi and another for the onward international journey. Their checked baggage will be tagged through to the final destination, eliminating the need for collection and re-check during transit.
The initiative is expected to streamline transit processes, reduce congestion at major hub airports, and significantly improve the overall travel experience.
In the initial phase, the facility will be available on one Delhi-bound flight operated by Air India, with plans to expand the service to other airlines and metro hubs over time.
The development comes amid a decline in Bhubaneswar’s direct international connectivity, which has reduced from four routes to just one service to Bangkok, following the suspension of flights to Dubai, Singapore and Abu Dhabi.
Airport officials believe the new system will not only simplify international travel for passengers from Odisha but also help boost outbound traffic from the region.