Pune International Airport has instituted a new mandate requiring all airlines to utilise aerobridges for passenger boarding and deboarding. This move marks a significant enhancement in safety measures and operational efficiency at the airport. Historically, airlines had opted against using aerobridges to avoid incurring rental fees, which led to passengers walking from the parking bays to the terminal buildings. This practice not only caused inconvenience but also heightened the risk of accidents in the busy airside area, where aircraft, ground vehicles, and equipment are in constant motion.
Pune Airport is equipped with ten aerobridges: five serving the newly constructed terminal and five linked to the older terminal. Despite the presence of these aerobridges, passengers frequently had to navigate the hazardous airside zone on foot. This area, characterised by heavy vehicle activity including tractors, pushback tugs, and fuel bowsers, poses substantial safety risks. The situation was further compounded by the pressure on ground staff to adhere to stringent schedules, sometimes resulting in unsafe practices and increased risk of accidents.
In the past three months alone, there have been two incidents involving ground staff in this perilous environment. Consequently, the decision to make aerobridges compulsory is both timely and necessary. This policy aims to mitigate the dangers associated with passenger movement across the busy airside and to eliminate the need for shuttle buses, which were previously used as an alternative.Current operational data highlights the scale of activity at Pune Airport: 58 flights are departing and arriving from the new terminal, and 37 flights are handling similar operations at the old terminal, accommodating approximately 38,000 passengers daily across both terminals. This strategic policy shift aligns with global best practices in airport safety and reflects a proactive approach to enhancing passenger welfare and operational safety at Pune International Airport.
