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Pune International Airport recorded the highest passenger traffic of the year in November, with a 44 per cent growth in international passengers and approximately five per cent growth in domestic flyers compared to October.
With 20,554 international flyers, November saw a significant increase of 6,316 more travellers compared to October, which recorded 14,238 international passengers. This rise has helped Pune Airport surpass 1.70 lakh international passengers from January to November. In contrast, domestic passenger traffic grew by five per cent, reaching 8.80 lakh flyers, up from 8.44 lakh flyers in October.
However, while the Airport Authority of India’s data shows a percentage growth for international passengers, the overall increase in numbers is more notable in domestic traffic. More than 35,000 additional flyers contributed to the airport’s growing traffic, which is expected to continue rising in December.
The previous highest passenger traffic this year was 8.94 lakh passengers, recorded in May. But November broke the record, surpassing 9 lakh passengers in a single month, including both domestic and international traffic.
Airport Director Santosh Dhoke attributed the increase in passenger numbers at Pune Airport to the launch of new flights and the commencement of operations under regional connectivity initiatives.
In November, IndiGo launched two direct flights to Dubai and Bangkok. The Pune-Dubai flight departs daily at 5.40 pm, arriving in Dubai at 10.10 pm, with the return flight leaving Dubai at 12.15 am. The Pune-Bangkok flight operates three times a week—on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays–departing Pune at 11.10 pm, with the return flight from Bangkok departing at 01.15 am.
According to the airport director, December is expected to see an increase in international flyers as Air India Express has launched a direct flight from Pune to Bangkok starting December 21. Five international flights operate from Pune Airport across three routes: Singapore, Bangkok, and Dubai. IndiGo operates flights to Dubai and Bangkok, SpiceJet serves Dubai, Air India (formerly Vistara) operates flights to Singapore, and Air India Express now connects Pune to Bangkok.
