Fourth day of air-conditioning breakdown at Pune airport: Passengers lose their cool as they swelter amid heatwave

The airport authorities have put up some coolers but the passengers are far from pleased as they took to social media to vent their frustration.

Passengers are also wondering about the delay in operationalising the new terminal building, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2024 but is still awaiting regulatory approval to start flight operations.

Passengers at Pune International Airport have been experiencing sweltering conditions over the past few days due to a malfunction in the terminal building’s air-conditioning system.

Amid the ongoing heat wave in the city, several flyers took to social media to express their frustration at having to wait for hours in high temperatures. Passengers questioned the delay in operationalising the new terminal building, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2024 but is still awaiting regulatory approval to start flight operations.

“Why aren’t AC s not functioning at Pune Airport. Both staff and passengers are sweltering in this heat…this is unacceptable,” A Lakshmi, a flyer, posted on X.

“No air-conditioners working at Pune Airport in this heat. Probably the first airport I have seen in India using desert coolers which were completely ineffective,” wrote another passenger, Prakash, on Wednesday morning.

“The new terminal building has been ready for six months. It’s been inaugurated over two months ago. What’s delaying its operationalisation?,” he wondered.

Issue with main chilling plant: Airport director

Pune Airport director Santosh Dhoke told The Indian Express that the main chilling plant of the centralised air-conditioning system at Pune Airport’s existing terminal building developed a major fault, owing to which the management has been struggling to maintain the desired temperature inside the existing terminal building since Sunday, May 19.

“The main chilling plant has developed a major fault. We have contacted the Kirloskar Chillers and their team is working on it,” said Dhoke.

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He said that even though two other chillers were operational, they had a lower capacity. As a result, the temperature remained slightly higher than the desired level in the summer heat.

“People who walk in from outside feel comfort if the indoor temperature is in the range of 21 to 22 degrees Celsius. The functional chillers, due to low capacity, can lower the temperature down to only 25-26 degrees Celsius. Hence, the visitors may feel some discomfort. We have employed some extra standing coolers and are working to resolve the AC issue as soon as possible. It should be resolved today,” said Dhoke.

The delay in operationalising the new terminal building—with better facilities and higher capacity—due to the awaited regulatory nod is causing frustration among Pune flyers, as the current terminal building is handling passengers beyond its capacity.

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