Kolkata and Bihar’s Purnea are set to be linked by direct flights for the first time, with low-cost carrier IndiGo announcing thrice-weekly services beginning on 15 September 2025. The development not only enhances eastern India’s air connectivity but also marks the formal opening of Purnea’s first-ever airport under the government’s regional UDAN scheme.
The new flights will operate every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, connecting Purnea in Bihar’s Seemanchal region with Kolkata, a key aviation hub in eastern India. Officials confirmed that the service would use the airline’s ATR aircraft, which are well-suited for regional routes. For passengers, this is expected to be a convenient option that reduces travel time drastically compared to long road or rail journeys between the two cities. Purnea becomes the 94th domestic and 137th overall destination in IndiGo’s network, and notably the fourth city in Bihar after Patna, Gaya, and Darbhanga to receive scheduled services from the airline. Aviation experts highlight that the new route signals rising demand for air connectivity in smaller Indian cities and is expected to accelerate trade and business in the Seemanchal region.
The airport at Purnea has been developed under the government’s flagship UDAN scheme, designed to provide affordable air travel to Tier-II and Tier-III cities. According to officials, the facility is expected to strengthen regional infrastructure, supporting agricultural trade, food processing industries, healthcare, and educational institutions in north-eastern Bihar. “This is not just about passenger movement, but about enabling economic ecosystems that rely on efficient transport,” said one aviation expert. Airline officials emphasised that this launch also reaffirms their commitment to affordable and accessible travel across emerging cities in India. They added that the new connection would help unlock opportunities for local businesses, enhance tourism potential, and improve mobility for students and professionals from the region.
The Kolkata–Purnea route is strategically significant because it creates a direct air link between a fast-growing trade hub in Bihar and the eastern metropolitan centre of Kolkata. Observers point out that improved accessibility could attract investment in Purnea’s agro-based industries and provide faster links for medical and educational travel, which has so far been constrained by poor connectivity. While the route begins with a thrice-weekly schedule, industry analysts believe that growing demand could see frequency being increased in the future. For now, the service represents a critical step towards bridging regional imbalances in India’s aviation map and creating more equitable access to mobility.
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