• Source:JND
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The upgradation of Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport and a significant reduction in VAT on Air Turbine Fuel (ATF) have led to a substantial rise in both aircraft movement and fuel consumption, marking a major boost in air connectivity for Bihar.

With the commissioning of the new terminal building, daily aircraft operations have now crossed the 100-mark, compared to around 80 flights per day earlier. The terminal was inaugurated on May 30 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and has been developed for Rs 1,200 crore. Spread across 65,150 square meters, the facility is equipped to handle one crore passengers annually.

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Even before the terminal became fully operational, the state government’s decision to reduce VAT on ATF from 29 per cent to 4 per cent in June has already begun yielding results. As per official data, ATF sales at Patna Airport surged by 134 per cent, rising from 2,318.20 kilolitres in May 2024 to 5,920.38 kilolitres in June. A modest 44 per cent increase had been recorded in May compared to last year, but the revised VAT structure has now significantly accelerated fuel sales.

Airlines operating from Patna are increasingly routing more flights due to reduced operational costs, connecting the capital with cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, and Lucknow, among others. With improved infrastructure and favourable tax policy, further growth in air traffic is anticipated in the coming months.

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