Purnea Airport to begin commercial flights on Sept 15; IndiGo & Star Air to operate

IndiGo and Star Air are set to launch direct flights from Purnea Airport to Kolkata and Ahmedabad, respectively, starting September 15, coinciding with the airport’s formal inauguration under the Centre’s UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) regional connectivity scheme.

The Bihar government had announced plans to develop 15 airports in the state, up from the current three, to enhance air connectivity at an estimated cost of ₹11,500 lakh, as per the state budget presented in March. Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary noted that Purnea airport, originally a defence airbase, was expected to begin commercial operations within three months of completing its makeshift terminal.

IndiGo will operate thrice-weekly flights (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) using ATR aircraft, making it the first airline to commence commercial operations from Purnea. Flight 6E 7924 will depart Kolkata at 12:30 pm, arriving in Purnea at 1:40 pm, while the return flight 6E 7925 will leave Purnea at 2:30 pm and reach Kolkata at 3:40 pm.


Star Air will also operate thrice-weekly flights between Ahmedabad and Purnea, starting on September 15.

The Chunapur airbase, located 10 km from Purnea town, was established soon after the 1962 Indo-China war. Civilian flights began in 1976 but were discontinued in 1978. Services resumed in 2012 between Purnea-Patna and Purnea-Kolkata but lasted only a year.