With no dedicated stop inside Pune airport, feeder bus services not profitable: PMPML

Nitin Narvekar, joint managing director of PMPML, stated that the buses remain largely empty. “PMPML has requested a dedicated pick-up and drop-off point inside the airport. Due to certain challenges, neither the airport authorities nor Aeromall have granted permission. It has been almost three months since we raised the request, but no decision has been made,” Narvekar said.

Another PMPML official mentioned that, under the direction of Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol, the airport authorities were supposed to allocate a stop for the feeder service.

However, Pune Airport Director Santosh Dhoke said several services are already available for passengers, including Aeromall pick-up zones where 35-seater e-buses and six golf cart vehicles operate free of cost. Dhoke further claimed that no airport in India allows buses to halt directly in front of the terminal.

“On one hand, people want our airport to be world-class, but providing a bus stop won’t help improve the airport’s ranking,” Dhoke said. “We have expanded the walking lanes in both arrivals and departures. Passengers can easily come outside and board the bus.”

“The feeder services being operated are not free; they are paid for by the authority. If we provide such services, what about the profitability of the pick-up services under our contract?” asked Dhoke.

Y S Rajput, vice-president of Aeromall Multi-Level Parking, said that PMPML is already being paid by the Maha Metro body to operate the feeder bus service. He further mentioned that the current pick-up and drop-off spot was agreed upon at a meeting with all stakeholders.

“The current spot was chosen after assessing all the issues, feasibility, constraints, and available space, and discussing all the contract conditions. No one has to walk—free shuttles and other services are already provided to passengers,” he said.

However, in response, PMPML official Narvekar refuted the meeting’s decision, stating that PMPML had requested permission for space inside the airport, but it was not granted. “The occupancy rate is low because passengers are unable to walk to the road with large luggage. As a result, buses are not benefiting from this service,” Narvekar added.