Poila Boishakh, the Bengali New Year, falls on Thursday, 15 April 2027 in West Bengal according to Drik Panchang and Public Holidays, starting Bengali year 1434. Some sources list 14 April, which is the date in Bangladesh, so check the state notification. Kolkata’s airport is officially Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, code CCU.
Updated November 2026 · HappyFares
For many Bengali families, Poila Boishakh is a day to be together, and a lot of people working in other cities plan their travel to Kolkata around it. Here is how to pin down the date and plan the flight.
When is Poila Boishakh in 2027?
Drik Panchang lists Pohela Boishakh 2027 on Thursday, 15 April, and says Bengali Era 1434 begins with it. Public Holidays also lists the Bengali New Year on 15 April. The reason is that the Mesha Sankranti, when the sun enters Aries, comes on the afternoon of 14 April, and the West Bengal calendar traditionally starts Boishakh on the following day.
Not every source agrees. Some calendar pages list 14 April, and Bangladesh observes the new year on Wednesday, 14 April 2027. If your plans depend on the exact day, check the West Bengal government holiday notification when it is published, or ask your family which panjika they follow.
Thursday 15 April sits close to a weekend. Friday 16 April is a normal working day for most people, so taking leave that day gives you Thursday to Sunday 18 April. The weekend before the festival is Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 April, which suits anyone who wants an early arrival.
Which airport do you fly into for Kolkata?
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) lists the airport as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata, and it is operated by AAI. Its IATA code is CCU, which is what you will see in search results and on your ticket. You may notice the name spelled Subhas or Subhash in different places. The spelling varies, but the code does not.
Did you know the airport is named after Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose? Whatever name people use in conversation, the code on your booking is what matters.
If your family lives outside the city, work out the road or rail leg before you choose arrival times. A late-evening landing on a festival eve can make onward travel harder, so many people prefer a morning or afternoon arrival.
How early should you book flights?
Airline fares are dynamic and, in general, fares for popular dates tend to go up as departure gets closer. For a festival that many people travel for, it makes sense to fix your leave and search early. No one can promise the cheapest day, so a price alert is a more reliable habit than guessing.
- Search the whole week, not just 14 or 15 April. Tuesday and Wednesday departures are worth comparing with Thursday.
- For the return, compare Sunday 18 April with Monday 19 April. The last day of a break is often the busiest.
- Read the fare family rules before paying. The cheapest fares usually carry stricter change and cancellation terms, which matters because the festival date itself might shift by a day.
- If a nearby city has more flights to Kolkata, compare it, but count the extra ground travel honestly.
What should you plan for on airport day?
Checking in is free on every Indian airline, online or at the airport. Web check-in saves queue time, but bag drop and boarding gate deadlines still apply, so arrive with a comfortable buffer. Festival days can bring heavier roads around the airport, so leave earlier than you normally would.
Bringing gifts home is common, and baggage allowances depend on the airline and fare type. Check your booking before you pack so you are not surprised at the counter. If someone in your group needs wheelchair or other special assistance, ask the airline directly when you book.
Should you take the train instead?
From cities in eastern India, some travellers compare rail and flights. From further away, such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru or Chennai, a flight generally saves the most time. Compare the whole door-to-door journey, including the airport transfer at both ends.
Whichever way you travel, share the final dates with your family early. A festival is easier to enjoy when everyone knows who is arriving when, and a confirmed ticket lets you plan the days around it. If your plans might change, pick a fare type with flexible rules instead of the cheapest one.
Common Questions
What is the date of Poila Boishakh in 2027?
In West Bengal, Drik Panchang and Public Holidays list Thursday, 15 April 2027. Bangladesh observes it on 14 April.
Why do some sources show 14 April?
The sun enters Aries on 14 April. Bangladesh celebrates on that date, while the West Bengal calendar generally starts the new year the day after.
What is the official name of Kolkata airport?
The Airports Authority of India lists it as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata. The IATA code is CCU.
Is there a long weekend around Poila Boishakh in 2027?
The festival is on a Thursday. With leave on Friday 16 April you get a break through Sunday 18 April, subject to your employer’s holiday list.
Do airlines charge for check-in in India?
Checking in is free on every Indian airline, online or at the airport.
Which airlines fly to Kolkata?
Many airlines serve Kolkata, but routes change by season. Check your airline’s own route list for your departure city and date.
Flying to Kolkata for the Bengali New Year? Compare flights on HappyFares, set a price alert for your route, and ask Meera, our AI assistant, to help with dates. Domestic bookings carry zero convenience fee.
Festival dates, rules and fees change. Verify current specifics with the airline, DGCA, or the airport before you travel.
