What Is Flybrary? How India’s Free Airport Library Works and Where You Can Find It
What Is Flybrary? India’s free airport book-sharing initiative lets passengers pick a book, read it while waiting or during their flight, and return it at a Flybrary at their destination. Now available at 68 airports, the initiative began at Bhubaneswar Airport in February 2025 and has expanded to airports including Ranchi, Amritsar and Mangaluru.
Airport waiting time is getting a new option for book lovers as the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Airports Authority of India expand the Flybrary initiative across the country. The free airport book-sharing facility allows passengers to pick up a book, read it while waiting for a flight or during the journey, and return it at a Flybrary at their destination airport.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu recently highlighted the initiative after reposting a video by @travelermohit. He wrote, "Delighted to see passengers welcoming Flybrary!" He added that Flybrary is now available at 68 airports across the country. No Flights, Yet India's 'No. 1 Airport'? Khajuraho Tops AAI Customer Satisfaction Rankings.
68 Indian Airports Now Let You Fly With A Free Book
What Is Flybrary?
A Flybrary is a free, self-service library inside an airport. Passengers can browse books on Flybrary shelves and pick one that interests them. The book can be read while waiting for a flight or carried onboard for the journey. Once passengers reach their destination, they are encouraged to return it to a Flybrary there.
At some airports, passengers can also take books home and return them during their next airport visit. Travellers can also donate their own books where the facility allows it.
How Does Flybrary Work?
The concept is designed to make books easily accessible to passengers without the formalities associated with a conventional library.
Here is how Flybrary works:
- Look for the Flybrary at the airport.
- Choose any book that interests you.
- Read it while waiting at the airport or carry it onto your flight.
- At your destination, return the book to a Flybrary there.
- Where the facility allows it, donate books of your own to keep the reading cycle going.
Where Can You Find Flybrary?
According to the Airports Authority of India, Flybraries are now available at 68 airports across the country.
The airports with the initiative include Bhubaneswar, Ranchi, Bhuj, Darbhanga, Khajuraho, Kullu-Manali, Mangaluru, Diu and Amritsar, among others.
The expansion means passengers in different parts of the country can participate in the book-sharing system while travelling.
How Did Flybrary Begin?
Flybrary was conceptualised by Sujit Mahapatra, founder of the Bakul Foundation, in partnership with the Airports Authority of India. The initiative debuted at Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar in February 2025 as a community-driven pilot project. It has since expanded to airports across India.
Traveller Shares Flybrary Experience
Mohit, a content creator, recently shared his experience after spotting a Flybrary at Ranchi Airport. "What a brilliant initiative," he declared. He initially thought the shelves were just a standard airport library. After looking closer and reading the notice, however, he understood how the system worked.
A passenger could pick it up, take it on the flight and leave it at the airport where they landed. Mohit called the idea "brilliant" and said that for travellers who love reading, it could be one of the best spots in an airport.
Making Airports More Passenger-Centric
Naidu described Flybrary as one of several interventions aimed at making airports more passenger-centric spaces. Other initiatives mentioned alongside Flybrary include UDAN Yatri Cafes, Awasar SHG outlets, Kids Zones and free Wi-Fi.
The idea behind Flybrary is different from that of a conventional airport library. Instead of keeping books at one location for passengers to read only within the premises, the model allows books to travel with passengers and be returned at another participating airport.
From its launch in Bhubaneswar to its expansion across 68 airports, Flybrary is becoming another feature of the airport experience, particularly for travellers looking for something to read before or during their journey.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 14, 2026 08:18 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).