Airport waiting time just got a little more interesting for book lovers. The Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) have introduced the Flybrary initiative, which allows passengers to pick up a book for free, read it while waiting for their flight or during the journey, and return it at a Flybrary at their destination airport. Here is everything you need to know about the initiative.
Flybrary Lets Passengers Read Books For Free At Airports
A Flybrary is a free, self-service library located inside an airport. Travellers can browse the available books, pick one they would like to read and enjoy it while waiting for their flight or carry it onboard for the journey. Once they reach their destination, they can return the book to a Flybrary at that airport.
At some airports, passengers can also take books home and return them during a future airport visit. Travellers can also donate their own books, helping keep the reading cycle going and making more titles available to other passengers.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu recently highlighted the initiative after reposting a video shared by content creator @travelermohit. “Delighted to see passengers welcoming Flybrary!” he wrote, adding that the initiative is now available at 68 airports across India.
The minister also described Flybrary as one of several measures aimed at making airports more passenger-centric. Other initiatives include UDAN Yatri Cafes, Awasar SHG outlets, Kids Zones and free Wi-Fi.
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Content creator Mohit recently shared his experience after discovering a Flybrary at Ranchi Airport. He initially assumed that the shelves were part of a regular airport library. However, after reading the notice displayed there, he realised that passengers could pick up a book, take it on their flight and return it at the airport where they landed.
Calling the concept “brilliant”, Mohit said Flybrary could be particularly useful for travellers who enjoy reading and want to make their airport waiting time more enjoyable.
How Does Flybrary Work?
Wondering how the Flybrary system works? The process is simple:
- Find a Flybrary at the airport.
- Browse the available books and choose one you would like to read.
- Read it while waiting for your flight or carry it onboard.
- Return the book to a Flybrary at your destination airport.
- Donate your own books where the facility allows it.
The initiative was created by Sujit Mahapatra, founder of the Bakul Foundation, in collaboration with the Airports Authority of India. Flybrary was officially launched at Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar in February 2025.
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The community-driven initiative has since expanded to airports across the country. According to the Airports Authority of India, Flybraries are now available at 68 airports, including Bhubaneswar, Ranchi, Bhuj, Darbhanga, Khajuraho, Kullu-Manali, Mangaluru, Diu and Amritsar, among others.
Rather than functioning as a conventional airport library, Flybrary focuses on making books accessible to travellers and encouraging them to share them with others. What began in Bhubaneswar has now expanded across 68 airports, giving passengers another way to spend their waiting time while discovering a good read.
Would you use a Flybrary during your next airport visit? Let us know your thoughts.
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons, X/Ritu Joon
FAQs
What is Flybrary?
A Flybrary is a free, self-service book-sharing hub located in an airport.
Where can we get access to Flybrary?
The initiative is active at 68 airports across India under the Airports Authority of India.
What is T1 and T2 at Mumbai Airport?
At Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai, T1 and T2 are the two active passenger terminals.
