Pune Airport’s New Terminal Building Ready for Operations, Set to Handle 30 Additional Flights and 10,000 Passengers Daily
Sumit Singh
Pune, 10th September 2023: The Pune Airport’s new terminal building is set to revolutionize passenger experiences as electricity supply has commenced, and successful testing of the facility has been confirmed.
The project has garnered the attention of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), which is closely monitoring the progress. In a recent development, airport authorities have convened meetings with airline representatives, urging them to relocate their offices to the new terminal within the next eight to ten days. As a result, the possibility of the new terminal becoming operational in October has significantly increased.
The existing terminal building faced challenges due to limited space, leading to restrictions on aircraft movements and impacting passenger facilities. During peak seasons, the airport witnessed a surge in passenger traffic, causing discomfort to travelers. Queues extended from security checks to baggage belts, creating congestion at every step. To address these issues and enhance passenger comfort, airport expansion became imperative.
Recognizing this, the Airports Authority of India initiated the construction of a new terminal at an approximate cost of 525 crores. The new terminal, equipped with five aerobridges, is a grand addition to the Pune Airport infrastructure.
The main airport building, constructed in 1972, underwent continuous repairs in subsequent years. The ongoing redevelopment marks the first comprehensive overhaul in 51 years. Following its completion, both the old and new terminal buildings will facilitate aircraft and passenger transportation, with a capacity to serve one crore nine million passengers annually.
The Airports Authority of India also intends to redevelop the existing terminal building, which will necessitate its temporary closure. During this period, passengers will not have access to the old building, and all flights will operate from the new terminal.
What’s in it for passengers?
Currently, 90 flights take off and land at the existing terminal, accommodating approximately 20 to 22 thousand passengers daily. With the commencement of operations at the new terminal, the number of flights will increase to 120 per day.
Also Read: Why Pune International Airport Is Urgently Needed: A Closer Look
Initially, the Pune Airport Authority planned to connect the old and new terminal buildings, a proposal that received approval from the Air Ministry. However, the plan has since been revised, opting to redevelop the old building instead.
The transition period during which the old building will be closed is expected to last at least 20 to 25 days. During this time, the airport is projected to handle approximately 32 to 33 thousand passengers per day, with an additional 30 flights and 10 thousand passengers compared to the current capacity.
