Patna: By the time you read this, the city airport would have become a 24x7 facility.

The Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport (JPNI) was to start round-the-clock operations from Sunday midnight. The number of flights is expected to go up to 51, making Patna airport busier.

The 24x7 service and facility was to be ushered in by the landing of Jet Airways flight B737 from Pune around 1.20am on Monday.

The flight, as a ceremonial felicitation and welcome by the Airports Authority of India, will be received by a water salute by the fire staff at the airport. The airport also arranged a "passenger delight" programme which started at 6pm and was to continue till the flight from Pune lands.

Airport director R.S. Lahouria said: "With the launch of 24-hour services at Patna airport, the number of flights will go up. In the first phase from Monday to Saturday, the number of flights making departure per day will go up to 39 from 37. While on Sunday the number of flights making departure will be 42.

"The average number of flight departures per day will go up to 51 in the coming days. The Airports Authority of India is determined to start round-the-clock operation with rescheduled duties of available and additional manpower," he added.

Similarly, the 12 airport fire staff will work in shifts.

"Round-the-clock operations will be beneficial for us," said Ankit Sharan, a resident of Patel Nagar who works as a software engineer in Delhi. "After completing work, we can take flights in the evening."

Sharan, however, said there should be more flights from Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad and other metros.

"Once night landing sets in, we will increase the number of flights. The night-landing option is most apt for the summer schedule as that is when the number of flights to Patna increases," said Lahauria.

The number of flights operational from Patna arport was a meagre 10 in 2010.