The tag of having one of the riskiest runways (barely 1954m long) notwithstanding, the city’s Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport has emerged number one in 2009-10 among 46 airports in the country in terms of percentage growth of domestic passengers as well as domestic aircraft movement.

According to Patna airport director Arvind Dubey: “Introduction of low-cost carriers, an increasing number of well-to-do Biharis settled outside Bihar who are fly to their native state and an improved law and order condition are the main contributors to this success story.”

There appears logic in his claim as low-cost carriers like Kingfisher Red, Jet Airways Konnect and IndiGo are offering daily flights to major destinations like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Kolkata making things easy for those opting for aerial routes.

Aviation industry sources said increased economic activities in Bihar and investment opportunities too have contributed in a big way to this success story as many non-Biharis who earlier hesitated visiting the state are now coming here to explore business opportunities.