People in Bihar will soon have direct access to international travel without going to Delhi or Mumbai. The state government and central agencies are working fast to upgrade air connectivity. The Darbhanga Airport is being developed into a fully functional international airport, and a new greenfield airport has been proposed in Sonpur to handle big aircrafts and international traffic.
Darbhanga Airport Upgrade Details
The work to make Darbhanga the first fully developed international airport of the state is moving at a fast pace. The runway is being extended to 3,700 meters to allow wide-body aircraft like Boeing 777 and Airbus A330 to land safely. In January 2025, the state cabinet approved ₹245 crore for the acquisition of around 89 acres of land required for this expansion. The new terminal building, with a cost of ₹912 crore, is expected to be ready by September 2026.
New Airport Plan in Sonpur
To further boost connectivity, the Bihar Budget 2026-27 has proposed a massive greenfield airport in Sonpur, Saran district. Administrative approval of ₹1,302 crore has been given for the acquisition of 4,228 acres of land. This new airport is planned to reduce the pressure on Patna Airport and serve as a major hub for international flights in the future.
Current Status of Airports in Bihar
At present, four airports are operational in the state, but international connectivity remains limited. The government is also working on other projects to improve the situation.
- Patna (Jayprakash Narayan): Has international status but cannot handle big planes due to a short runway.
- Gaya: Operational as an international airport mainly for Buddhist tourism with limited flights.
- Bihta: Civil enclave work is ongoing, and commercial flights are expected to start by 2027.
- Purnia: Civil operations started recently in September 2025.
