Bhubaneswar: International air travel from Odisha is set to become more convenient with the launch of the hub-and-spoke travel model at Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) from August. The new system will enable passengers travelling abroad from Bhubaneswar to complete immigration, customs and baggage formalities at the origin airport before connecting seamlessly to international flights from Delhi.
Initially, the facility will cater to night-time international departures, allowing travellers to board an evening domestic flight from Bhubaneswar and connect to overnight international services from the national capital without repeating clearance procedures.
Evening Flight To Delhi To Anchor The New System
According to airport officials, the hub-and-spoke model requires a maximum connection window of four hours between the arrival of the domestic flight at the hub airport and the departure of the onward international flight.
To operationalise the initiative, Air India will operate a flight departing Bhubaneswar at 8:45 pm, reaching Delhi at around 11:00 pm. This timing has been designed to provide sufficient time for passengers with confirmed international bookings to board their connecting overseas flights departing later in the night.
Since immigration and customs formalities will already be completed in Bhubaneswar, passengers arriving in Delhi can proceed directly to the designated international departure area, significantly reducing waiting time and transit-related inconvenience.
Immigration And Customs To Be Completed In Bhubaneswar
One of the biggest advantages of the new model is the relocation of key departure formalities from the busy Delhi airport to Bhubaneswar.
Under the streamlined process:
- Immigration clearance will be completed at Bhubaneswar.
- Customs checks will also be carried out before departure.
- Checked baggage will be tagged directly to the final international destination.
- Passengers will receive two boarding passes at Bhubaneswar—one for the domestic flight to Delhi and another for the onward international journey.
This arrangement is expected to make international travel smoother, particularly for passengers from Odisha who currently have to undergo lengthy procedures after reaching metro airports.
Faster, More Convenient International Connectivity
Airport authorities believe the hub-and-spoke model will offer a hassle-free travel experience by reducing congestion at major international gateways while improving passenger convenience.
By completing all departure formalities at Bhubaneswar, travellers will avoid long queues for immigration and baggage re-checks in Delhi, making transfers quicker and less stressful. The initiative is also expected to improve connectivity for passengers travelling to destinations across Europe, North America, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and other international locations served through Delhi.
Bhubaneswar Among Five Selected Spoke Airports
The Union Ministry of Civil Aviation has selected Biju Patnaik International Airport as one of five designated spoke airports under the new hub-and-spoke framework.
Officials indicated that the programme could be expanded in the future by including additional metro hubs and more participating airlines, allowing passengers from Odisha to access a wider network of international destinations with seamless connections.
The initiative marks another significant step towards enhancing Odisha’s aviation infrastructure and improving global connectivity for travellers from the state. By simplifying international departures and reducing transit hassles, the hub-and-spoke model is expected to make overseas travel more efficient while strengthening Bhubaneswar’s role as an important regional aviation gateway.
