New Pune airport should take three years to complete but can’t give a definite deadline, says Ajay Kumar

Manoj More: Do you think it’s an appropriate site?

It’s basically appropriate from the construction point of view. It’s about 40-45 kms away from the Pune City. I can’t say right now when such a huge infrastructure is there, about new road and rail infrastructure. A new airport—being 40-odd kilometre away from the centre of the city-— it’s not a long distance. In fact, it’s a must because a lot of land is required for the development. Hence, the airports can’t be very close to the city.

Sunanda Mehta: The new airport has been delayed for so long. In the meantime, Pune has grown tremendously. So what is it that the city has lost during these years?

The growth of air traffic and the potential is phenomenal. Last year, we grew at the rate of 29 per cent. This year, we are growing at 25-per cent point. Thus we have seen a 65 per cent growth. Last year, we handled about 5.5 million passengers. This year, it might cross 6.6 million. That’s too great a growth for a city. This city has a great potential I would say.

Atikh Rashid: In last few months, the AAI and Civil Aviation Ministry has moved fast to increase the capacity of the Lohegaon Airport and the newly-acquired 15 acres of land. Will the latest announcement of finalisation of the site for the new airport slow down this development of the Lohegaon Airport?

No. Basically, the new airport is not a replacement for this airport. This development is to meet the short-term demands. Four new aircraft bays will come up of Code-C type on the additional land that we have got. Also, buildings of a volume 35,000 square metre will come up, which will also enhance the amenities at the airport.

Ajay Khape: What would be the difference between having an airport at the new proposed site in Purandar as opposed to the earlier location at Chakan?

I can’t compare these two locations. I have not seen the location (Chakan) at all. That site is not technically suitable. That was the only problem. They were not suitable from the aeronautical point of view.

Manoj More: Once the development starts, how much time is the new airport is expected to take?

The real construction may take three years once it starts. Nowadays, things have hastened, which means work can happen simultaneously like runway and buildings can come up together. But I can’t give a definite deadline on the time period the airport will be functional. This project is being carried out by MADC and we are their technical advisors. Acquisition of land, compensation and construction is to be carried out by MADC.

Sushant Kulkarni: The Air Force recently completed work on Modernisation of Air Field Infrastructure (MAFI). How will it benefit the civilian operations?

The project has given additional safety and accuracy features. Such additions always increase the operational efficiency.

Ajay Khape: The Pune airport was working with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to develop the roads leading to the airport. What is the status?

The Pune airport undertook a survey to study the issue of traffic leading to and leaving out of airport. There have been many bottlenecks so we had proposed widening of 509 junction. The PMC has started the work and we are hopeful of the work getting completed in the next few months which would ease the traffic situation.

Sushant Kulkarni: How is your co-ordination with the Air Force? At times civilian flights are affected by the IAF sorties.

It can be seen the other way round. It is basically a military Air base and we are using the facility. They are the owners. So naturally, their operations are given the preference. And it is rightly so. It an important air base from military point of view.

Sunanda Mehta: International aspect of Pune Airport never really took off. A lot of flights were expected to start from here, say Pune-London, but now we see very few international flights.

Normally, airlines use Code D type of aircraft, which are much bigger and Pune runway is not able to handle them. This city has great potential for international traffic and once, the new airport comes up we will see it getting realised.

Atikh Rashid: We have the rule of AAI imposing a Rs 85 penalty on vehicles that linger more than seven minutes at the airport premises. Recently, Civil Aviation minister said that this rule will be waived off.

Basically, this seven-minute rule is on all India basic. When traffic grows, we have a space of 150 metre and nearly 35 cars going bumper to bumper at a time and we all know that the number of vehicles wanting to come in is much more. If the cars, which enter in the beginning won’t move out, how will the new vehicles come in? So, the rule was designed to resolve this problem and it was implemented on all airports including one at Pune.

The problem that we have is that the road leading to the airport is very narrow. The problem persists until the capacity of these roads is increased.

Sunanda Mehta: At Pune Airport, there’s a lot of VIP movement. How do you deal with it? Also, how many private aircraft are there at the airport? How much space is taken by them?

We don’t have much of VIP movement. That’s not a big issue for us. As far as private aircraft goes, of the eight bays one is always occupied by them. We can’t use it for commercial operations. We have eight hangars and there are plenty of private aircraft parked. Quite a few people have private aircraft but it doesn’t have much movement.

Anuradha Mascarenhas: Now, with passengers bringing in viruses such as Zica or Swine Flu, how do you conduct a check in terms of health aspect of international passengers?

We have a Central government department that takes care of all these things. What I’m saying is that there’s a full-fledged department. What can I say? That’s always there.

Anuradha Mascarenhas: How much time does it take to address a passenger grievance? How do you deal with them?

When we are dealing with six times the passengers of our capacity. Definitely, there would be some constraints. But our operational figures are much better.

Sunanda Mehta: Tell us about any challenge that you faced and dealt with.

See the airport is a happening place. I remember, soon after I joined, I saw that people were standing in the security-hold areas. Our security-hold capacity in May 2015 was 650, we have increased it to 1,200. That’s one major change we brought in. In last one year, we have also taken up construction of new toilets, which is also a much-needed change. Similarly, the other important aspect is the expansion of the airport, which is also on the right track with the Defence Ministry giving us 15.84 acre area.

Anuradha Mascarenhas: Which according to you is the ideal airport in the country?

I can’t say that. Every airport has its own advantages and constraints. Everybody is trying to do their best with whatever infrastructure and funds they have.

(Transcribed by Atikh Rashid)