PATNA, Jan. 24 -- The third of the five proposed passenger boarding bridges at Jay Prakash Narayan International (JPNI) Airport became operational on Saturday at boarding gate number 11, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) said in a communique.

Commissioned with the approval of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the new aerobridge is expected to significantly enhance passenger convenience and streamline terminal operations. SpiceJet flight SEJ672 from Bengaluru, carrying 188 passengers, was the first to be handled through the facility after being parked at bay number 9. The same aerobridge was subsequently used for the departure of SpiceJet flight SEJ674 to Bengaluru, with 187 passengers on board.

AAI officials said ins...