Pune Airport

Pune Airport, (IATA: PNQ, ICAO: VAPO) is located approximately 10 km (6.2 mi) northeast of the historic centre of Pune in the state of Maharashtra, India. The airport is a civil enclave operated by the Airports Authority of India at the western side of Lohagaon Air Force Station of the Indian Air Force. The airport serves both domestic and international flights, especially to West Asia. In financial year 2020, the airport handled 8.09 million passengers.[4] The increasing flights have made construction of a new terminal and runway expansion mandatory.

For other uses, see Pune Airport (disambiguation).

Pune International Airport
Summary
Airport typeMilitary/Public
OwnerIndian Air Force
OperatorAirports Authority of India
ServesPune
Location10 km NE of Pune, Maharashtra, India
Elevation AMSL592 m / 1,942 ft
Coordinates18°34′56″N 073°55′11″E
Map
PNQ
PNQ
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
10/28 2,539 8,329 Asphalt
Statistics (April 2018 - March 2019)
Passenger movements9070917
Aircraft movements59,888
Cargo tonnage59,109
Source: AAI[1][2][3]

Overview

Pune Airport has a 2535m long runway oriented 10/28. A former secondary runway is now used as a taxiway by the IAF. A 2200m x 23m parallel taxiway was constructed by AAI to facilitate civil operation on the southern side of Rwy 10/28. The airfield is equipped with night landing facilities as well as navigational facilities like DVOR/DME and an NDB. [5] As Pune's Air Traffic Control is operated by the IAF,[5] there is often friction between the AAI and the IAF over flight schedules and night landings. There is currently a basic working relationship between the two parties; they have agreed to allow night landings of civilian flights for the time being, though this is not a long-term solution.

History

The airfield was established in 1939 as RAF Poona to provide air security to the city of Bombay (now Mumbai). The base was home to World War II squadrons of de Havilland Mosquito and Vickers Wellington bombers and Supermarine Spitfire fighter aircraft.[6] In May 1947, the Royal Indian Air Force took charge of the airfield.[7] The Pune Airport was declared as a customs airport in January 1997 for the export of specified goods. With effect from 12 December 2005, Pune Airport was certified as a customs airport for the clearance of passengers and baggage.[8] International flights to Dubai and Singapore commenced by Indian (Previously Indian Airlines) in 2005.[9] These flights however were not cancelled later. In 2004–05, Pune Airport handled about 165 passengers a day or around 60,000 a year. It increased to 250 passengers a day in 2005–06. There was a sharp rise in 2006–07 when passengers reached 4,309 a day (1,500,000 a year) and more than 2.8 million passengers a year in 2010– 2011 (about 8,000 passengers a day).[10]

A ₹ 1 billion airport modernisation plan was launched in preparation for the Commonwealth Youth Games hosted by Pune. In August 2008, AAI completed construction of two new terminal extensions for international passenger departures and arrivals, measuring nearly 12,000 sqm on either side of the 6,500 sqm old main terminal building which was inadequate for the increase in passengers and flight operations. The terminal extensions have helped ease peak-time pressure of air passengers. Facilities developed on the air side include a new parallel taxi track and an apron expanded to accommodate eight Airbus A320 or Boeing 737 aircraft. Two aerobridges were also commissioned in 2011. New conveyor belts and passenger facilities including a modern spa were also commissioned.[11]

The Airports Authority of India will invest ₹ 400 million in 2018 for a brand new terminal building at Lohagaon which will be integrated into the existing one in order to ease air traffic while land is still being acquired for the new greenfield international airport at Purandar.

All the offices of the AAI and the Central Industrial Security Force will move to the new administrative block, creating more space in the terminal building. The building will also house a VIP lounge with independent access to the airport terminal building. The airport power sub-station near the entrance gate will also be shifted to the new building this freeing up more space for developing passenger amenities.[12]

The runway is also under renovation and will be extended to 3,250m (10,662 feet) from the current length of 2,600m. After completion of the ongoing renovation work, the airport will be able to handle larger aircraft than currently possible. The Lufthansa flight to Frankfurt currently must stop to refuel due to payload constraints at Pune, arising out of the short runway. The flight departs from Pune Airport with partially filled fuel tanks and refuels again on the way.[13] An Instrument Landing System (ILS) has also been proposed to ensure smooth takeoffs and landings even in deteriorated weather conditions.[14]

Airlines and destinations
AirlinesDestinations
AirAsia IndiaBangalore, Bhubaneswar,Delhi, Jaipur, Kolkata[15]
Air India Bangalore,[16] Bhopal, Chandigarh, Delhi, Kolkata,[17] Mumbai
Air India Express Dubai–International
Alliance Air Bangalore, Belgaum, Goa, Hyderabad, Nashik
GoAir Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Nagpur
IndiGo Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Allahabad,[18] Bangalore, Bhubaneshwar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Coimbatore, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Indore,[19] Jaipur, Kochi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Patna
SpiceJet Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Darbhanga (begins 16 February 2021),[20] Delhi, Dubai–International, Goa, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kochi, Kolkata, Patna
VistaraDelhi

Future
Aircraft at Pune International Airport

Cargo terminal

There is a proposal of creating an international cargo facility from this airport. This project will enable foreign cargo operators to operate to Pune. Pune was declared as customs airport on 17 January 1997, primary for exporting perishable agricultural products. This project will also help to attract of foreign airlines to operate to Pune. This 600 sqm terminal will be located adjacent to the new arrival terminal.[21]

Extending Runway length

A plan for the extension of runway at Lohegaon airport still stuck over acquisition of a private plot on the airport's western side, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has now requested the Indian Air Force (IAF) to carry out the proposed expansion on the eastern side, on land owned by the air force. This project is very important for Pune city considering the growth in air traffic. Since the Purandar airport may take a few years to come up, the capacity of Lohegaon airport to handle traffic has to be increased. One of the major constraints the airport faces today is the short runway length. It has been proposed to extend the length of the runway to 10,662 feet or approx. 3250 meters. The extension of the runway is critical for the operation of widebody aircraft like Airbus A330 and Boeing 777, which carry more passengers compared to narrowbodies like Airbus 319s, 320s and Boeing 737s that currently operate from the airport.[22]

Airport Expansion

A new terminal is being built up at the Eastern side of the current airport terminal the new terminal will be twice the size of the current terminal. The new terminal will at least have 5 Aero bridges and advanced technologies with duty free shops and food courts. The new under construction terminal is estimated to be completed till end of year 2020.

Proposal for new airport
Main article: New Pune Airport

Due to the limited expansion options available, the airport will not be able to cope with the growing demand for air traffic into Pune. Hence, a greenfield airport for the Pune metropolitan region has been proposed. The Government of Maharashtra has entrusted the responsibility to Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) for executing the Pune International Airport project.[23] Probable sites for this project had earlier included areas around Talegaon Dabhade and Saswad near Pune. An area between Chakan and Rajgurunagar, around the villages of Chandus and Shiroli was under consideration.

However, due to land acquisition issues, a new site has been proposed. The greenfield airport will be located near the villages of Ambodi, Sonori, Kumbharvalan, Ekhatpur-Munjawadi, Khanwadi, Pargaon Memane, Rajewadi, Aamble, Tekwadi, Vanpuri, Udachiwadi, Singapur near Saswad and Jejuri in Purandar taluka of Pune District in the Indian state of Maharashtra. [24] The proposed airport in Purandar will be spread over 2,400 hectares. This airport will also boost trade from Pune and neighbouring districts as it will have its own dedicated cargo terminal. MADC requested proposals from consultants to conduct techno-economic feasibility studies, assist in obtaining the required statutory approvals and provide project management services.

In August 2020 deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar told the Pune district administration to check the feasibility of developing the new Pune airport at an alternative site proposed by Purandar MLA Sanjay Jagtap. The MLA had proposed land acquisition at Pandeshwar, Rise and Pise villages, instead of the seven villages in Purandar taluka which have opposed land acquisition since the project was announced in October 2016. Total land acquisition cost is expected to be Rs4000 crore for the existing site. If the new site gets approved, land acquisition cost is likely to reduce.

Senior officials of the Maharashtra Airport Development Company Limited (MADC) have said that shifting the site of the Purandar airport will lead to delay of more than two years in getting fresh approvals and carrying out surveys of the new site.

Access

Pre-paid taxicab and auto rickshaw services to and from airport are available. Coach services to various key locations in Pune and private car rental services are also available. PMPML also operates airport shuttle to and fro from the city.

See also

References

Citations
  1. "Traffic News for the month of March 2018: Annexure-III" (PDF). Airports Authority of India. 1 May 2018. p. 4. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
  2. "Traffic News for the month of March 2018: Annexure-II" (PDF). Airports Authority of India. 1 May 2018. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 May 2018. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
  3. "Traffic News for the month of March 2018: Annexure-IV" (PDF). Airports Authority of India. 1 May 2018. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 May 2018. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
  4. "Leading airports across India in financial year 2020, by number of passengers handled(in millions)". statista. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  5. AAI website, 1 November 2011, archived from the original on 8 February 2012, retrieved 1 February 2012
  6. "Lohegaon airbase celebrates Indian Air Force's 80th anniversary". The Times of India. 3 October 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  7. "Back To India". Bharat Rakshak. Archived from the original on 2 August 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  8. "Pune Customs website". Archived from the original on 19 November 2017. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
  9. "Pune airport accorded international status". Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  10. "Passenger traffic at Pune airport takes a big leap". Indian Express. 14 October 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
  11. "Pune airport braces for swanky look AAI to spend Rs 20 cr". Times of India. 19 October 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
  12. TOI, 23 March 2015, retrieved 23 March 2015
  13. "Short runway forces midway refuelling: Lufthansa". Indian Express. 23 October 2011. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
  14. "Indian Air Force projects MAFI, GAGAN to benefit Pune airport". Indian Express. 20 April 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
  15. "AirAsia India to commence Kolkata-Pune service in Mar-2020". CAPA. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  16. https://twitter.com/airindiain/status/1305472717999583234/photo/1
  17. "Air India to launch non-stop Kolkata-Pune flights". Twitter. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  18. "New Flights Information, Status & Schedule | IndiGo". www.goindigo.in.
  19. "New Flights Information, Status & Schedule | IndiGo". www.goindigo.in.
  20. "SpiceJet flight schedule". SpiceJet. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  21. Lohegaon airport to have int’l cargo centre
  22. "AAI proposes extension of runway on IAF land on eastern side of Lohegaon airport". Indianexpress. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  23. Our Corporate Bureau (10 August 2004). "New airport for Pune". Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  24. "State wants more land for project". Sakaal Times. 24 December 2011. Retrieved 29 August 2012.

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