Pune Airport has achieved a significant milestone by recording 204 flight movements in a single day, marking the highest number ever seen at the airport. The record, set on a Sunday, includes 102 departures and 102 arrivals, surpassing the usual Sunday average of 192 to 198 movements. The achievement comes just a week after the airport authorities urged airlines to make full use of their allocated slots or surrender them.
This surge in flight movements is a positive indicator for Pune’s growing air travel demand, especially in the ongoing winter schedule that began on October 27. According to an airport official, “This is a good sign,” emphasizing the encouraging rise in flights. One of the critical factors behind this achievement is the efficient use of slots allocated to airlines. A slot refers to the permission granted by the airport to airlines for landing and take-off at specific times. Experts have pointed out that the underutilization of slots in the past had contributed to high airfares on some routes. The increased slot usage is expected to help ease this issue. As more flights are expected to begin operations, including a new international flight to Bangkok by Air India Express later this month, the airport’s performance is likely to continue improving. Pune Airport Director, Santosh Dhoke, noted that the growing number of flyers is motivating airlines to fully utilize their allocated slots. “We expect this will continue,” he said.
However, the airport is still facing challenges with some empty slots. Currently, 10 out of the 216 slots are unutilized, primarily the red-eye slots. These late-night and early-morning flights are reportedly 90%-95% full, and airport officials are hopeful that these slots will be taken up as travel trends shift. A common concern among frequent travelers is the ongoing use of the old terminal building. IT executive Palash Sathe, a regular flyer, expressed frustration over the delays in shifting operations to the new terminal. “I fail to understand why the old building is still being used,” Sathe said, urging authorities to prioritize the move. Officials confirmed that work to dismantle structures at the old terminal would begin by the end of the month, with improvements to the road leading to the new building and landscaping underway. With the rising number of flights and the upcoming changes, Pune Airport is well on its way to becoming a key hub for air travel in western India.
