The Bihar government has invited airlines to submit bids for launching direct international flights from Patna and Gaya, proposing five routes under its New Destination Policy in an effort to expand overseas connectivity and boost tourism, business and pilgrimage travel.

According to The Times of India, the proposed routes are Patna–Kathmandu, Gaya–Kathmandu, Gaya–Sharjah, Gaya–Colombo and Gaya–Singapore. A fresh tender was floated this month, with airlines asked to submit bids by September 3. Technical and financial bids are tentatively scheduled to be opened on September 8.

The initiative aims to start regular international services from Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport in Patna and add new overseas destinations from Gaya Airport. Under the policy, the state government will provide viability gap funding (VGF) to airlines for launching the selected routes. The financial support will initially be available for six months and may be extended for another six months depending on route performance.

Officials said the civil aviation department will evaluate airlines on parameters such as destination proposed, flight frequency, aircraft type, seating capacity and the VGF sought by the bidder. The objective is to encourage airlines to operate routes that may face commercial challenges during the initial phase.

A senior official said the government was continuing its efforts to expand international connectivity from both Patna and Gaya. The government is also monitoring the impact of the Middle East crisis on airline operations while proceeding with the selection process.

The proposed Patna–Kathmandu service will restore a direct air link between Bihar’s capital and Nepal, a route that was operated from Patna until the early 2000s. For Gaya, the proposed services to Kathmandu, Sharjah, Colombo and Singapore are expected to strengthen its position as an international gateway, particularly for Bodh Gaya and Bihar’s Buddhist tourism circuit. Direct links to Colombo, Singapore and Kathmandu could make travel easier for pilgrims and tourists.

IndiGo announces Gaya–Bangkok service

Separately, IndiGo has announced that it will launch twice-weekly non-stop flights between Gaya and Bangkok from October 26, 2026, creating a direct air link between Bihar’s Bodh Gaya and Thailand’s capital, as reported by The Economic Times and Free Press Journal. The new service is expected to strengthen India–Thailand connectivity and support tourism and economic activity.

The flights will operate every Monday and Thursday, offering a convenient travel option for passengers travelling between the two destinations. The route is expected to particularly benefit Buddhist pilgrims, tourists and leisure travellers. The Economic Times reported that the schedule is subject to regulatory approvals.

Bodh Gaya is home to the Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s most important Buddhist pilgrimage destinations. Thousands of visitors from Thailand and other countries travel to Bodh Gaya each year. The direct connection is expected to make pilgrimage travel more convenient while encouraging greater cultural exchange between India and Thailand. It could also generate additional business for Bihar’s hospitality, transport and tourism-related sectors.

Thailand continues to be a popular international destination for Indian travellers. IndiGo currently operates more than 140 flights a week between India and Thailand, connecting Bangkok with major Indian cities including Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Bhubaneswar. The airline also operates direct services to Phuket from Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Kolkata, as well as flights to Krabi from Delhi, according to both outlets.

Passengers can book seats on the new Gaya–Bangkok service through IndiGo’s website, mobile application and authorised travel partners.

Context and outlook

The Gaya–Bangkok service, while announced by IndiGo, aligns with the state government’s broader push to expand international connectivity from Gaya. The Times of India noted that Gaya already operates seasonal international flights during the peak Buddhist pilgrimage period, and that the Gaya–Bangkok service was selected under a government-supported arrangement, with operations expected to begin in October and bookings likely to open later this month.

The state government’s bid invitation for the five routes, combined with IndiGo’s planned launch, signals a coordinated effort to enhance air links from Bihar’s key airports. While the tender process for the five routes is still underway, the Gaya–Bangkok service represents an immediate step towards expanding overseas travel options from the region.