Pune Airport is set for its largest winter schedule expansion yet, with 15 additional flight slots expected to begin operations from the last week of October. The increase, approved under the upcoming winter schedule, will raise the airport’s total slot capacity from 220 to nearly 235, marking a major step in enhancing connectivity for the city and surrounding regions.
According to airport officials, the move comes in response to growing passenger demand and the rising importance of Pune as both a business and leisure travel hub. The current capacity is almost fully utilised, with only a few slots inactive. The new allocation will give airlines greater flexibility to operate during high-demand periods and open the door for new domestic routes.Currently, Pune Airport connects passengers to 34 Indian cities. The winter expansion is expected to improve frequencies on popular routes such as Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Kolkata, while also introducing direct flights to at least five to seven additional destinations. Airlines are finalising their proposals, with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) set to review them before granting final approval.
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The new slots will be distributed across the airport’s operational hours of 6:00 am to 10:29 pm, ensuring a balanced spread throughout the day. This is expected to ease congestion during peak hours, giving travellers more choice and convenience. For frequent fliers, this could mean avoiding the inconvenience of travelling to Mumbai for better flight options.
An airport official emphasised that the expansion is part of a larger strategy to position Pune as a major aviation gateway in western India. With its thriving IT, manufacturing, and educational sectors, the city has seen consistent growth in passenger traffic over the last five years. The additional flights will not only serve business and corporate travellers but also meet the seasonal surge in leisure travel during the festive and holiday months.Travel industry experts say that improved connectivity from Pune will also reduce carbon emissions linked to unnecessary road travel to other airports. By offering more direct flights, the airport can help cut down on intercity trips and make air travel more sustainable. While the expansion will increase air traffic, better scheduling and load balancing could reduce overall delays and improve operational efficiency.
The final winter schedule will be confirmed once the DGCA completes its review and approvals later this month. If implemented as planned, Pune Airport could set a new benchmark for regional connectivity, benefitting passengers, airlines, and the city’s economy alike.
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Pune Airport To Add 15 New Flights In Winter Expansion
