Patna is the capital of India’s third most populous state, a city layered with Gangetic history stretching back more than two millennia, and the political and administrative heart of Bihar. Its airport carries the name of one of the most consequential figures in post-independence India — Jayaprakash Narayan, the freedom fighter and socialist leader whose Total Revolution movement defined a generation. Jay Prakash Narayan Airport received a transformative upgrade in 2025: a new ₹1,200 crore terminal inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 29 May 2025 and made commercially operational from 3 June 2025. The airport now has infrastructure commensurate with Bihar’s rising aviation demand, handling over 43 lakh passengers in 2025–26 and ranking among India’s top 15 to 16 busiest airports.
Quick Overview: Jay Prakash Narayan Airport, Patna
| Detail | Information |
| Official Name | Jay Prakash Narayan Airport |
| Also Known As | Patna Airport |
| Location | Bhatpura village, Sheikhpura, Patna, Bihar |
| Airport Type | Public — Domestic (with international status) |
| IATA Code | PAT |
| ICAO Code | VEPT |
| Owner & Operator | Airports Authority of India (AAI) |
| New Terminal Inaugurated | 29 May 2025 |
| New Terminal Operational | 3 June 2025 |
| New Terminal Cost | ₹1,200 crore |
| Terminal Area | 65,150 sq. metres |
| Peak Hour Capacity | 3,000 passengers (1,500 per floor) |
| Annual Capacity | Up to 1 crore passengers |
| Check-in Counters | 64 |
| Aerobridges | 5 |
| Boarding Gates | 13 |
| MLCP Parking | 1,100 vehicles |
| Elevation | 52 m / 170 ft AMSL |
| Distance from City | ~5–18 km (varies by reference point) |
| Passengers (2025–26) | 43,86,376 |
Patna Airport Location: Embedded Within the State Capital
Jay Prakash Narayan Airport sits at Bhatpura village, Sheikhpura, Patna — the address is Shaheed Pir Ali Khan Marg, Bhatpura village, Sheikhpura, Patna. The airport is physically located within the city fabric, approximately 5 kilometres from Patna Junction railway station and 18 kilometres from certain parts of the extended city. Distance figures vary across sources — 5 km, 6 km, and 18 km all appear — because Patna is a long city along the south bank of the Ganges, and the airport’s position is closer to the southern and central areas while eastern and western extremities of the urban zone are farther.
The airport is sandwiched between the Sanjay Gandhi Jaivik Udyan (Bihar’s main zoo and botanical garden) on one side and Phulwari Sharif railway station on the other — a constrained urban setting that has historically limited the runway length and will continue to limit expansion options going forward. This is precisely why a separate civil enclave at Bihta Air Force Station, approximately 30 kilometres west of Patna, has received cabinet approval and a ₹1,410 crore development allocation as a long-term capacity complement to the current airport.
Patna Airport Code: IATA PAT and ICAO VEPT
The airport’s IATA code is PAT and its ICAO code is VEPT. PAT appears on all flight booking platforms, boarding passes, and baggage systems for travellers using Patna. VEPT places the airport in the VE eastern India block. The airport holds international airport status, though scheduled international operations have been limited in recent years. Most international travellers from Patna connect via Delhi, Mumbai, or Kolkata hubs.
Patna Airport Terminal: The 2025 New Terminal That Transformed Operations
The story of Patna Airport in 2025 is the story of its new terminal. Built by NCC Limited at a cost of ₹1,200 crore, the two-storey integrated terminal covers 65,150 square metres and is designed to handle 3,000 passengers during peak hours — 1,500 on the ground floor (arrivals) and 1,500 on the first floor (departures). Annual capacity reaches up to one crore passengers, a massive leap from what the previous terminal could manage.
The terminal features 64 check-in counters, 9 Automatic Tray Retrieval Systems (ATRS) at security screening, 5 aerobridges, and 13 boarding gates. All five aerobridges were reported operational by early February 2026. A multilevel car park (MLCP) adjacent to the terminal accommodates 1,100 vehicles and has been operational since 3 June 2025.
Digi Yatra biometric processing has been enabled at Patna Airport since July 2024, allowing passengers with registered profiles to enter and board without repeated physical document checks — a facility that reduces congestion significantly during peak travel periods. The terminal layout has arrivals on the ground floor and departures on the first floor, with clear wayfinding and signage throughout.
Patna Airport also received a brand new domestic air cargo terminal in February 2025, inaugurated separately and increasing annual cargo handling capacity from 7,500 metric tonnes to 22,000 metric tonnes. The new cargo terminal includes a cold storage facility — critical for Bihar’s signature agricultural exports including Muzaffarpur’s Shahi Litchi and Dussehra mangoes from the Malda corridor.
Patna Airport Connectivity: Airlines, Routes and Getting to the Airport
By Air: IndiGo operates more than 100 weekly non-stop flights from Patna to destinations across India, making it the dominant carrier at PAT. Air India operates domestic and has explored international services. SpiceJet, Akasa Air, and other carriers also operate from Patna. High-frequency routes include Patna–Delhi (the busiest corridor, with multiple daily flights and a flight time of approximately 1 hour 45 minutes), Patna–Mumbai (approximately 2 hours 30 minutes), Patna–Bengaluru, Patna–Kolkata, and Patna–Chennai. The route network has expanded consistently with Bihar’s large diaspora population driving strong point-to-point demand.
By Road: Patna Airport is approximately 5 km from Patna Junction railway station. Uber taxi service operates from a dedicated counter at the arrival gate. Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC) buses serve as a budget-friendly option at approximately ₹20 to ₹50. Private taxis and auto-rickshaws are also available.
By Rail: Patna Junction is one of the largest and busiest railway stations in eastern India, connecting Bihar’s capital to Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Varanasi, Gaya, and virtually every major city in the country. The proximity of the airport to the station — about 5 km — makes the combination of train arrival and cab to airport very practical for many travellers.
Nearest Alternative Airports: Darbhanga Airport (DBR) is approximately 130 km northeast. Gaya International Airport (GAY) is approximately 100 km south.
Patna Airport Amenities: The New Terminal’s Comprehensive Offering
The new terminal brings Patna Airport into line with modern expectations for a major Indian state capital airport. Free Wi-Fi with a valid Indian phone number is available throughout the terminal. ATMs and cash machines are operational. Currency exchange services are in place. A post office counter operates within the terminal — an unusual and genuinely useful facility. Newspaper and magazine vending machines are available. Smoking rooms are designated separately. Child care rooms and baby care facilities are provided. Baggage wrapping services operate. Flight insurance counters are available.
Food and beverage options include the Gold Byte Food Court opposite the terminal building, along with cafes and restaurants within the terminal space. Retail outlets carry souvenirs and general merchandise. Air India’s lounge is available for eligible passengers. The terminal’s scale — with 64 check-in counters and 13 gates — means passenger flows are well distributed without the congestion that characterised the previous facility.
Ground-side facilities include the MLCP with 1,100 parking spaces, Uber pickup zones, and pre-paid taxi options. Hotels at various price points are available near the airport, and the proximity to the city means transport from any part of Patna is manageable.
FAQs
Q1. What is the IATA code for Patna Airport?
The IATA code is PAT and the ICAO code is VEPT. The airport is officially named Jay Prakash Narayan Airport and is sometimes referred to as Patna Airport or JPN Airport.
Q2. When did the new terminal at Patna Airport open?
The new terminal was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi on 29 May 2025 and became commercially operational on 3 June 2025. It cost ₹1,200 crore and covers 65,150 sq. metres with a peak capacity of 3,000 passengers per hour.
Q3. How far is Patna Airport from the city and railway station?
The airport is approximately 5 km from Patna Junction railway station. Distance to different parts of the city ranges from 5 to 18 km depending on your starting point.
Q4. Which airlines operate from Patna Airport?
IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air are among the primary carriers. IndiGo operates the highest weekly frequency with over 100 non-stop flights per week. Routes connect Patna to Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chennai, and more.
Q5. Does Patna Airport have a cargo terminal?
Yes. A new domestic cargo terminal was inaugurated in February 2025 with annual capacity of 22,000 metric tonnes — including cold storage for perishable Bihar exports like Shahi Litchi and mangoes
