Navi Mumbai International Airport: What does it offer Pune?

Aviation analyst Dhairyashil Vandekar told The Indian Express, “The Navi Mumbai airport will definitely be a game changer for that part of Maharashtra. For a segment of travellers from Pune, it will be much more convenient, considering the reduction in travel time. Many from Pune will prefer flights from Navi Mumbai as it is easy to access via the Expressway.”

“The Lohegaon airport in Pune faces significant constraints, particularly for long-distance international flights to Europe and America, which cannot operate due to runway limitations. Passengers often have to travel to Hyderabad, Bangalore, or Delhi for these flights. For residents in areas like Baner, it takes about one and a half hours to reach Lohegaon, but they can reach Navi Mumbai in the same or slightly more time. As it is a new airport, people will prefer going there,” Vandekar said.

Also, Pune airport lacks the capacity for larger cargo planes, which will be accommodated at Navi Mumbai airport, boosting the logistics sector, he added.

Boon for industries

Cargo handling, especially for fresh agricultural commodities, has been a challenge for many importers and exporters. Rohan Ursal, director of Purandar Highlands, a farmer producer company specialising in figs and custard apples, said logistics costs would decrease significantly once Navi Mumbai airport becomes operational.

“We deal with highly perishable commodities. If our consignment is to fly out on Wednesday, we need to start our work on Monday. This time would reduce once Navi Mumbai airport starts operations,” Ursal said. He anticipates a cost reduction of at least 10-15 per cent for exports from Navi Mumbai compared to Mumbai.

For the Chakan industrial belt, Navi Mumbai airport will cut travel time by over an hour. As an international airport, it addresses the urgent need for better connectivity in Chakan and Talegaon, which have developed as the nerve centre of Pune’s automotive and auto ancillary industries.

Both areas have German multinational companies and the nearest international airport for them is the one in Mumbai.

An industrialist from the area said, “Even if we overlook the cargo aspect, Navi Mumbai airport will help reduce travel time for visitors. The industry has long sought an international airport in Pune, and while that has not materialised, Navi Mumbai airport will facilitate both passenger and cargo movement from Chakan and Talegaon.”

Pune has long been recognised as one of the country’s export hubs, but the absence of large cargo operations has long been a pain point. Although multiple locations have been identified for a new airport, progress has been slow.

Pune International Airport offers direct flights to three international destinations: Dubai, Singapore, and Bangkok. But Navi Mumbai airport is expected to serve many more international routes.

In May, Navi Mumbai airport, operated by an Adani subsidiary, faced challenges in onboarding major airlines like Air India and IndiGo to shift operations from the Mumbai airport, despite offering prime slots.

However, Vandekar said, “I believe airlines will operate flights from Navi Mumbai airport. Previously, airlines had to be competitive, but now airports must also be competitive. If Navi Mumbai airport offers good, competitive rates, airlines will have to shift their operations here.”