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Pune Airport, also known as Pune International Airport (IATA: PNQ, ICAO: VAPO), is located in the state of Maharashtra in India. It is situated 10 km (6.2 miles) northeast of downtown Pune and is a hub for IndiGo. Pune Airport is considered a defence airport, controlled by the central government and the Defence Ministry, rather than the local government. The airport has faced criticism for its poor management, overcrowding, and long queues. To address these issues, a new terminal was inaugurated in March 2024 and opened for operations in July 2024. Additionally, there are plans for a new greenfield airport, named Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj International Airport, to serve the city of Pune. This proposed airport will be located near Pune in the Pune District and is expected to boost state revenue and create new job opportunities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airfield Established | 1939 |
| Former Name | RAF Poona |
| Current Status | Defence Airport |
| Airfield Operator | Indian Air Force (IAF) |
| Airfield Controller | Airports Authority of India (AAI) |
| Location | 10 km (6.2 miles) northeast of downtown Pune |
| Address | New Airport Rd, Pune International Airport Area, Lohegaon, Pune, Maharashtra 411032, INDIA |
| Telephone | +91 20 2668 3232 |
| [email protected] | |
| New Terminal Construction Started | Late 2018 |
| New Terminal Inaugurated | 10 March 2024 |
| New Terminal Opened | 14 July 2024 |
| New Airport Proposal | Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj International Airport |
| New Airport Location | Purandar taluka, Pune District, Maharashtra |
| New Airport Size | 2,832 hectares |
| New Airport Owner | Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) |
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What You'll Learn
- Pune Airport is managed by the Defence Ministry, not the local government
- Pune Airport is part of the Indian Air Force and has a single civil terminal
- Pune Airport's air traffic control is operated by the IAF, causing friction with the AAI
- Pune Airport is criticised for its poor management and facilities
- A new international airport, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj International Airport, has been proposed to serve Pune
Pune Airport is managed by the Defence Ministry, not the local government
Pune Airport, officially known as Pune International Airport, is located in the state of Maharashtra in India. Serving the city of Pune, the airport is situated 10 km (6.2 miles) northeast of downtown Pune. While Pune Airport is a major transport hub, it is not managed by the local government. Instead, it is a defence airport under the control of the Defence Ministry and the Indian Air Force.
The management of Pune Airport by the Defence Ministry, rather than the local government, has implications for its operations and governance. Defence airports typically have stricter measures and norms, and their management often does not align smoothly with local government practices. This dynamic can create challenges in decision-making and implementation, potentially impacting the airport's efficiency and responsiveness to local needs.
Pune Airport's status as a defence airport also influences its infrastructure and capacity. The airport has faced criticism for its limited facilities, including long queues and inadequate luggage scanning infrastructure. These issues may arise partly from defence airports' typical design, which may not prioritise accommodating large numbers of people or incorporating commercial considerations.
The Defence Ministry's management of Pune Airport has prompted calls for improvement, particularly as Pune is one of India's fastest-growing cities. To address these concerns, plans are underway to expand Pune Airport by constructing a second terminal. This project, inaugurated in March 2024, aims to alleviate the airport's crowding and flight delays.
In addition to the expansion of the existing airport, there are also proposals for a new greenfield airport to serve Pune. The Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj International Airport project, named after the King of the Maratha Empire, has been approved and will be located in Pune District. This new airport aims to provide the necessary infrastructure to support Pune's growing air traffic demands and facilitate the city's inclusion in the Indian government's Smart City program.
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Pune Airport is part of the Indian Air Force and has a single civil terminal
Pune Airport, also known as Pune International Airport, is located in the state of Maharashtra in India. It is situated 10 km (6.2 miles) northeast of downtown Pune. The airport is part of the Indian Air Force and operates as a ""restricted international airport." This means that only a limited number of international flights, typically two to four, can operate from there. As an Air Force base, Pune Airport has only a single civil terminal that handles both international and domestic traffic.
The airfield was established in 1939 as RAF Poona to provide air security to the city of Mumbai. During World War II, it was home to squadrons of de Havilland Mosquito and Vickers Wellington bombers, as well as Supermarine Spitfire fighter aircraft. In May 1947, the Royal Indian Air Force took over the airfield. Pune Airport has a long history of serving the city of Pune and the surrounding region.
Over the years, Pune Airport has experienced challenges in managing the increasing air traffic demand. To address this, a new terminal was constructed and inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 10, 2024. The new terminal was integrated with the existing one to ease air traffic congestion. However, due to various factors, including the need to obtain permissions and staff shortages, the opening of the new terminal was delayed until July 14, 2024.
Despite these improvements, Pune Airport continues to face limitations in handling incoming passenger growth. As one of the fastest-growing cities in India, Pune requires a dedicated international airport to meet the demands of its expanding air traffic. Consequently, there are plans to build a new greenfield airport, named Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj International Airport, near Pune. This proposed airport will be located in the Pune District in the Indian state of Maharashtra and is expected to cover an area of 2,832 hectares. The project has received approval and support from the central and state governments, with various stakeholders involved in its development.
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Pune Airport's air traffic control is operated by the IAF, causing friction with the AAI
Pune Airport, formerly RAF Poona, was established in 1939 to provide air security to the city of Mumbai. Pune Airport's air traffic control is operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF). The IAF's management of the airfield's air traffic has caused friction with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) over flight schedules and night landings. Despite their basic working relationship, the disagreement between the two parties is not a long-term solution.
The IAF's former secondary runway is now used as a taxiway, while the AAI constructed a parallel taxiway to facilitate civil operations on the southern side of the main runway. The AAI has also invested in a new second terminal to ease air traffic, which was completed in March 2024. However, the opening of the new terminal was delayed due to the processes of receiving permission and a shortage of Central Industrial Security Force personnel.
The Pune Airport currently experiences crowding and flight delays due to its limited infrastructure. With only eight parking bays, the airport struggles to accommodate the growing demand for air traffic in Pune. As a ""restricted international airport," only two to four international flights can operate from Pune Airport, contributing to the congestion.
To address these issues, a greenfield airport for the Pune metropolitan region has been proposed. The new airport, named Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj International Airport, will be located near Pune in the Pune District of Maharashtra. The project has faced delays due to land acquisition issues and opposition from local farmers, but it is expected to boost the state's revenue and create new job opportunities. The new airport will also include a dedicated cargo terminal, enhancing Pune's ability to export agricultural products and other goods globally.
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Pune Airport is criticised for its poor management and facilities
Pune Airport has been criticised for its poor management and facilities, with passengers expressing dissatisfaction with the airport's new terminal, which opened in July 2024. The terminal, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2024, faced issues due to several non-functional amenities, including flight schedule boards and Digi Yatra machines. Passengers also reported a lack of taxis available at the airport, causing extended wait times.
In addition to the issues with the new terminal, Pune Airport has faced criticism for its overall poor ranking and lack of basic facilities. In February 2024, the airport's poor performance was highlighted during a discussion in the Budget session of Parliament, where MP Vandana Chavan of the Sharad Pawar faction of NCP questioned the lack of basic infrastructure and its deteriorating quality. The airport's ranking in the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) survey conducted by Airports Council International (ACI) slipped to 70th position.
The issues at Pune Airport have been attributed to various factors, including its limited expansion options and the friction between the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) over flight schedules and night landings, as Pune's air traffic control is operated by the IAF. The airport's inability to cope with the growing demand for air traffic in Pune has led to proposals for a new greenfield airport, named Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj International Airport, to be built near the city.
The existing Pune Airport has also faced challenges with frequent flight delays, inadequate seating capacity, dirty washrooms, a lack of eating facilities, and problems during check-ins and security checks. These issues have been raised by frequent travellers and aviation experts, who have called for improved management and monitoring mechanisms to address the plight of flyers.
To address the issues, the Airports Authority of India invested ₹ 40 crore in 2018 for a new second terminal, which was integrated into the existing one to ease air traffic. The new terminal, completed in March 2024, was expected to improve the overall experience for passengers. However, the ongoing challenges highlight the need for continuous improvements and effective long-term solutions to ensure a seamless travel experience for passengers utilising Pune Airport.
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A new international airport, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj International Airport, has been proposed to serve Pune
Pune Airport, also known as Lohagaon Air Force Station, is a restricted international airport. This means that only two to four international flights may operate from there. As an Air Force base, it has only a single civil terminal that operates both international and domestic traffic. Pune Airport's air traffic control is operated by the IAF, and there is often friction between the AAI and the IAF over flight schedules and night landings.
Due to the limited expansion options available, Pune Airport will not be able to cope with the growing demand for air traffic into Pune. Pune is one of the fastest-growing cities in India and is included in the Smart City program of the Indian government. Therefore, a new international airport has been proposed to serve the city.
Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj International Airport is a proposed greenfield airport project to serve Pune, India. The airport will be built near Pune in the Pune District in the Indian state of Maharashtra. In 2016, it was announced that the proposed airport would be spread over 2,832 hectares. The airport would be named after the King of the Maratha Empire, Sambhaji Maharaj, who was born at Purandar fort. The CIDCO will hold a 51% stake in the SPV, while MADC's stake will be around 19%. The remaining 30% will be divided between the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) and Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA).
The Airports Authority of India conducted surveys on various areas near Pune for a new airport for the city. Initially, a site near Chakan was chosen for the airport, but due to opposition from local farmers and the mountainous terrain, the government decided to build the new airport in Purandar taluka as it was a flatter region. The new Pune International Airport will serve as a cargo hub for the state. Many nearby farmers cultivate fruits such as grapes and pomegranates, among other crops. With the new airport, their crops can be transported to other states and countries globally. This cargo hub is expected to increase state revenue as exports can be easily processed, as well as create new job opportunities.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Pune Airport is considered a defence airport as it is managed by the Defence Ministry and the Central Government, not the local government.
Pune Airport is considered a defence airport because it is also an Air Force base with only one civil terminal that operates both international and domestic traffic.
Pune Airport is controlled by the Defence Ministry and the Central Government.
There are stricter measures and tougher norms for defence airports as the Army follows its own set of rules. Management agencies are often hesitant to work for defence airports due to these strict policies.
Yes, there is a proposal to build a new international airport, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj International Airport, to serve the city of Pune. The existing Pune Airport will also be expanded with a second terminal.
