Pune-Mumbai Helicopter Travel to Increase by 8–12 Minutes After Navi Mumbai Airport Opens
Pune, 24th December 2025: Passengers flying between Pune and Mumbai will experience slightly longer helicopter journeys starting December 24, as the Airports Authority of India (AAI) implements changes to the existing flight routes. The adjustment, prompted by the upcoming operationalization of Navi Mumbai Airport on December 25, will add an estimated eight to twelve minutes to the current travel time.
The new route is designed to prevent helicopters from obstructing air traffic from the new airport. The revised paths were approved on Saturday, December 20, but it remains unclear whether the changes will affect fares.
Updated Routes:
Juhu to Pune (K151): After departing Juhu, helicopters will follow the existing route until nearing Navi Mumbai Airport. Here, they will enter holding airspace for a brief period before continuing towards Pune near Karnala Fort, west of the JNPT road, flying at an altitude of 4,400 feet.
Pune to Juhu: Departing Pune, helicopters will fly over Lonavala railway station, east of the JNPT road, then over Kharghar railway station, D.Y. Patil Stadium, and the Mumbai-Satara highway before reaching Juhu at an altitude of approximately 4,000 feet.
Mahalaxmi Racecourse to Pune: Helicopters will pass over Shivdi railway station, the north side of Atal Setu towards Tata Power coal jetty, near Navi Mumbai Airport, and west of Karnala Fort before reaching Pune.
Alternative Route
If runway 26 at Navi Mumbai Airport is in use, helicopters departing from Mahalaxmi Racecourse will follow an alternate path via Bhaucha Dhakka, Butcher Island, Dronagiri, and Ransai Dam to reach Pune.
The changes are expected to improve flight safety and coordination with increasing air traffic at the newly operational Navi Mumbai Airport, ensuring smoother travel for passengers on the Pune-Mumbai-Pune helicopter service.
