New Pune Airport Terminal will be operationalised in phases; two airlines will shift operations on July 14

A total of eight airlines currently operate from Pune Airport.

“Air India and Air India Express will start operating from the new building from July 14. Air India flight AI – 858 (Pune –Delhi) will be the first flight to depart from Pune airport. Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol will felicitate the first passenger by handing them their boarding pass.

Remaining airlines operating at Pune Airport will start operation from the new building in a phased manner. We aim to complete the shifting by August 5,” said Santosh Dhoke, Pune Airport Director.

“The operationalization of the new building was delayed for the last few weeks because of the shortage of CISF personnel at the airport. The Airport has a sanctioned strength of 724 CISF personnel but only about 453 persons were deployed at the airport until recently. After the new terminal building was constructed to cater to the growing need of the flyers, the AAI had requested the CISF to deploy more persons as the new terminal building is larger and that the transition will require deployment at both buildings,” said Dhoke.

“We have received a sufficient number of additional CISF personnel to go ahead with the shifting in a phased manner,” added Dhoke without divulging the actual number of CISF personnel that have joined.

The existing terminal building with a built-up area of 22000 square metres has a passenger handling capacity of 7 million per annum. The new building with a built up area of 52,000 square metres has a passenger handling capacity of 9 million per annum, officials said.

The state-of-the-art building is centrally air-conditioned with the provision of an additional five passenger boarding bridges taking the count of passenger boarding bridges to ten, this will provide convenience and hassle-free movement for passengers from the terminal building to aircraft. A total of 34 Check-in Counters and 25 self-check-in counters will also provide faster check-in experience to travellers, officials added.

“The terminal incorporates Pune’s cultural elements such as a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Palkhi traditions, displays of local art, and local heritage. The terminal is equipped with baby care rooms, child play areas, and open seating arrangements for added comfort. The terminal has 15-20 shops including those offering food and beverages,” said Dhoke.

He said that two electric buses and six baggage trailers will be deployed to facilitate transportation of passengers between new and old terminals. The building has 10 aerobridges, of which three will connect to the existing terminal. Five carousels are dedicated for arrivals with two specifically for international passengers, officials said.