Patna,(BiharTimes): For the first time in four years the flow of passengers at Patna’s Jaiprakash Narayan International Airport came down in the last financial year (2012-13).

According to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) figures for annual passenger and aircraft traffic for the 2012-13 Patna airport handled 10,03,169 passengers, a drop of 1.8 per cent compared to 2011-12. In the last financial year the airport had registered 21.8 per cent increase in terms of passenger flow.

As the Haj flights have been diverted to Gaya international airport the latter witnessed a sharp jump in the traffic last year. It recorded the highest growth both in terms of passenger flow as well as aircraft movement among 45 main airports of the country. Yet, it remained at the 45th position for the second consecutive year because of low volume of passenger flow and aircraft traffic.

On the other hand Patna stands at 23rd position as far as percentage increase in the passenger flow is concerned. It was at 18th position in the last financial year.

But there is one thing to console for Patna. Except Mangalore and Port Blair, the passenger flow in rest 43 airports has decreased as compared to the figures of 2011-12.

Suspension of Kingfisher Airline’s services and the shift of Haj operations to Gaya international airport are the factors responsible for the fall in number of air passengers from and to Patna.

The director of Patna airport Arvind Dubey said the Kingfisher Airline used to operate three Airbus 320 from here daily. But they do not operate anymore now.

Besides, the number of flights of Jet Airways from the city airport has come down from seven to three. Similarly, IndiGo operates three flights now against four earlier.

Apart from that sharp rise in air fare has also contributed to decline In passengers