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Pune Airport | |||||||||||
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  Old Terminal and satellite image of the airport | |||||||||||
| Summary | |||||||||||
| Airport type | Public/Military | ||||||||||
| Owner | Indian Air Force | ||||||||||
| Operator | Airports Authority of India | ||||||||||
| Serves | Pune Metropolitan Region | ||||||||||
| Location | Lohegaon,Pune,Maharashtra,India | ||||||||||
| Opened | 1939; 86 years ago (1939) | ||||||||||
| Hub for | IndiGo Fly91 | ||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 592 m / 1,942 ft | ||||||||||
| Coordinates | 18°34′56″N073°55′11″E / 18.58222°N 73.91972°E /18.58222; 73.91972 | ||||||||||
| Map | |||||||||||
  PNQ  PNQ | |||||||||||
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| Runways | |||||||||||
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| Statistics (April 2024 - March 2025) | |||||||||||
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Pune Airport (IATA:PNQ,ICAO:VAPO) is aninternational airport and anIndian Air Force (IAF) base (calledLohagaon Air Force Station) serving the city ofPune andPimpri Chinchwad,Maharashtra,India. It is located atLohagaon, approximately 11 km (6.8 mi) northeast of the historic centre of Pune. The airport is acivil enclave operated by theAirports Authority of India at the western side of Lohagaon Air Force Station. A name change has been proposed for the airport toJagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj Airport, which has been approved by the State Government.[4]
The airport is theninth-busiest airport by passenger traffic in India. The airport serves both domestic and international flights. In financial year 2024-25, the airport handled over 10.4 million passengers.[5][1]
Pune Airport has a 2,540 m (8,330 ft) long runway oriented 10/28. A former secondary runway is now used as a taxiway by theIAF. A 2,200 m × 23 m (7,218 ft × 75 ft) parallel taxiway was constructed byAAI to facilitate civil operation on the southern side of runway 10/28. The airfield is equipped with night landing facilities as well as navigational facilities likeDVOR/DME and anNDB.[6] As Pune's air traffic control is operated by the IAF,[6] there is often friction between the AAI and the IAF over flight schedules and night landings. There is currently a basic working relationship between the two parties; they have agreed to allow night landings of civilian flights for the time being, though this is not a long-term solution.[citation needed]
The airfield was established in 1939 asRAF Poona to provide air security to the city of Mumbai. The base was home toWorld War II squadrons ofde Havilland Mosquito andVickers Wellington bombers andSupermarine Spitfire fighter aircraft.[7] In May 1947, theRoyal Indian Air Force took charge of the airfield.[8]
Air India commenced a route to Dubai, the airport's first international flight, in December 2005.Indian Airlines began service to Singapore the following day.[9] In 2004–05, the airport handled about 165 passengers a day or around 60,000 passengers. It increased to 250 passengers a day in 2005–06. There was a sharp rise in 2006–07 when the number reached 4,309 passengers a day (1,500,000 a year) and more than 2.8 million passengers a year in 2010–2011 (about 8,000 passengers a day).[10]
In July 2008,Lufthansa's inaugural flight from Frankfurt arrived in Pune, linking the airport with Europe for the first time. The direct service was operated byPrivatAir and catered to the many automotive, biotechnology and other companies that had operations in the city.[11][12] PrivatAir flew the route with a long-range version of an Airbus A319 that only had business-class seats; the Pune airport's short runway meant that Lufthansa could not use a larger jet with an economy-class cabin.[13][14] PrivatAir also had to reduce the seating capacity so that the aircraft could carry enough fuel for the long-haul flight.[14]
A₹ 100 crore airport modernisation plan was launched in preparation for theCommonwealth Youth Games hosted by Pune. In August 2008, AAI completed the construction of two new terminal extensions for international passenger departures and arrivals, measuring nearly 12,000 m2 (130,000 sq ft) on either side of the 6,500 m2 (70,000 sq ft) old main terminal building, which was inadequate for the increase in passengers and flight operations. The terminal extensions have helped ease the peak-time pressure of air passengers. Facilities developed on the air side include a new parallel taxi track and an apron expanded to accommodate eightAirbus A320 orBoeing 737 aircraft.[15] In 2010, Lufthansa introduced economy class on the Frankfurt route; due to therecession, companies preferred to book economy-class tickets for their employees.[16]
Twoaerobridges were commissioned in 2011. New conveyor belts and passenger facilities including a modern spa were also commissioned.[15] Aninstrument landing system (ILS) has been proposed to ensure smooth takeoffs and landings even in deteriorated weather conditions.[17] All the offices of the AAI and the Central Industrial Security Force will move to the new administrative block, creating more space in the terminal building. The building will also house a VIP lounge with independent access to the airport terminal building. The airport power sub-station near the entrance gate will also be shifted to the new building freeing up more space for developing passenger amenities.[18]
Lufthansa stopped flying to Frankfurt in June 2018, as it had suspended itswet-lease arrangement with PrivatAir.[19] Five months later, Lufthansa resumed the link using its own plane. The flights made a technical stopin Baku.[20][21] Afterward, the carrier reached a new agreement with PrivatAir whereby the latter would take over the route in February 2019. PrivatAir went bankrupt in December 2018, however. As a result, the last Lufthansa flight departed Pune in January 2019.[22][23]
TheAirports Authority of India has invested₹ 40 crore in 2018 for a brand new second terminal, which will be integrated into the existing one in order to ease air traffic. Construction began in late 2018 and was completed in March 2024.[24] It was inaugurated byPrime MinisterNarendra Modi on 10 March 2024, and was opened on 14 July 2024.[25]
| Year | Passengers |
|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 5,417,167 |
| 2016-17 | 6,787,391 |
| 2017-18 | 8,164,840 |
| 2018-19 | 9,070,917 |
| 2019-20 | 8,085,607 |
| 2020-21 | 2,137,859 |
| 2021-22 | 3,713,491 |
| 2022-23 | 8,007,160 |
| 2023-24 | 9,525,484 |
| 2024-25 | 10,457,694 |
| Financial year | Passengers | Change from previous year | Aircraft operations | Cargo tonnage[50] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 10,457,694 |  9.8% | 68,830 | 42,293 |
| 2023-24 | 9,525,484 | 19.0% | 64,039 | 37,841 |
| 2022-23 | 8,007,160 | 115.6% | 59,451 | 39,369 |
| 2021-22 | 3,713,491 | 73.7% | N/A | N/A |
| 2020-21 | 2,137,859 |  73.6% | 19,831 | N/A |
| 2019-20 | 8,085,607 | 10.9% | 54,261 | N/A |
| 2018-19 | 9,070,917 | 11.1% | 59,888 | N/A |
| 2017-18 | 8,164,840 | 20.6% | 56,021 | 41,566 |
| 2016-17 | 6,787,391 | 25.3% | 46,932 | 35,312 |
| 2015-16 | 5,417,167 | 29.3% | 40,726 | 31,766 |
| Rank | Airport | Carriers | Departing passengers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delhi | Air India,Air India Express,Akasa Air,IndiGo,SpiceJet | 1,403,897 |
| 2 | Bengaluru, Karnataka | Air India,Air India Express,Akasa Air,IndiGo | 894,245 |
| 3 | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | Air India Express,IndiGo,SpiceJet | 299,804 |
| 4 | Hyderabad, Telangana | Air India Express,IndiGo,Star Air | 290,259 |
| 5 | Ahmedabad, Gujarat | Akasa Air,IndiGo,SpiceJet | 240,558 |
| 6 | Nagpur, Maharashtra | IndiGo,Star Air | 206,997 |
| 7 | Kolkata, West Bengal | Akasa Air,IndiGo | 175,814 |
| 8 | Jaipur, Rajasthan | Air India Express,IndiGo,SpiceJet | 132,716 |
| 9 | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh | Air India Express,IndiGo | 111,469 |
| 10 | Bhubaneswar, Odisha | Air India Express | 76,790 |
| Rank | Airport | Carriers | Departing passengers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Dubai, United Arab Emirates | SpiceJet | 60,267 |
| 2 |  Singapore | Air India | 30,737 |
There is a proposal to create an international cargo facility from this airport. This project will enable foreign cargo operators to operate in the airport. The airport was declared ascustoms airport on 17 January 1997, primarily for exporting perishable agricultural products. This project will also help to attract foreign airlines to operate at the airport. The 600 sq.m. terminal will be located adjacent to the new second terminal.[53]
A second terminal has been built on the eastern side of the current airport terminal. It covers an area of about 52,000 m2 (560,000 sq ft), which is twice the size of the current terminal and has a capacity of serving over 9 million passengers annually. It has fiveaerobridges and several advanced technologies, facilities and amenities, five baggage carousels, 34 counters, 25 self-check-in counters, duty-free shops, retail stores, food courts, waiting areas, lounges, restrooms, and many others. The terminal has a unique design showcasing the culture and heritage ofMaharashtra, such as the depictions of traditional folklore, art likeWarli and a bronze statue ofShivaji in front of the terminal.[54][55] It was estimated to be completed by the end of 2020, but due to theCOVID-19 pandemic, which caused lockdowns and curfews, lack of labour caused several delays in work.[56] In September 2021, construction work resumed.[57] In November 2022, it was 75% completed, and was expected to be completed by May 2023.[58] It was finished and inaugurated byPrime MinisterNarendra Modi on 10 March 2024 viavideo conferencing.[25] However, the opening of the terminal got delayed due to longstanding processes of receiving permission to operationalise and shortage ofCentral Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel at the airport for security.[59] These issues were solved and the terminal was opened for regular operations on 14 July 2024, with the first flights operated byAir India andAir India Express toDelhi andBhubaneswar.[60]
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Due to the limited expansion options available, the airport will not be able to cope with the growing demand for air traffic into Pune. Hence, agreenfield airport for the Pune metropolitan region has been proposed. TheGovernment of Maharashtra has entrusted the responsibility toMaharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) for executing the Pune International Airport project.[61] Probable sites for this project had earlier included areas aroundTalegaon Dabhade andSaswad near Pune. An area betweenChakan andRajgurunagar, around the villages of Chandus andShiroli was under consideration.
However, due to land acquisition issues, a new site has been proposed. This site is not very distant from the city but is near to the city limits. Thegreenfield airport will be located near the villages of Ambodi, Sonori, Kumbharvalan, Ekhatpur-Munjawadi, Khanwadi, Pargaon Memane, Rajewadi, Aamble, Tekwadi, Vanpuri, Udachiwadi, and Singapur nearSaswad andJejuri inPurandar taluka ofPune District in the Indian state ofMaharashtra.[62] The proposed airport in Purandar will be spread over 2,832 hectares. This airport will also boost trade from Pune and neighbouring districts as it will have its own dedicated cargo terminal. MADC requested proposals from consultants to conduct techno-economic feasibility studies, assist in obtaining the required statutory approvals and provide project management services.
In August 2020,Deputy Chief MinisterAjit Pawar told the Pune district administration to check the feasibility of developing the new Pune International Airport at an alternative site proposed by Purandar MLA Sanjay Jagtap. The MLA had proposed land acquisition at Pandeshwar, Rise, and Pise villages, instead of the seven villages in Purandar taluka which have opposed land acquisition since the project was announced in October 2016. Total land acquisition cost is expected to be ₹ 4000 crore for the existing site. If the new site gets approved, land acquisition costs are likely to be reduced.
Senior officials of the Maharashtra Airport Development Company Limited (MADC) have said that shifting the site of the Purandar Airport will lead to a delay of more than two years in getting fresh approvals and carrying out surveys of the new site.
Media related toPune Airport at Wikimedia Commons
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