Pune Airport is gearing up for a major expansion, with authorities set to receive 13 acres of additional land by the end of October. The land will be used to construct five new aircraft parking bays, a remote bay, and a dedicated cargo terminal, in a project estimated at ₹100 crore. Officials say the expansion will significantly ease congestion, improve operational efficiency, and support the city’s rapidly growing air travel demand.
Currently, Pune Airport operates with 10 parking bays that manage nearly 200 daily flight movements. The addition of five more bays is expected to allow an extra 50-60 flights per day, creating capacity for new routes and reducing operational bottlenecks. “Parking bays are critical to smooth airport operations. More bays allow multiple aircraft to be handled simultaneously, avoiding delays and improving safety through orderly aircraft movement,” said a senior Airports Authority of India (AAI) official. Passenger traffic at Pune Airport has been steadily increasing, with more than 10 million passengers travelling through the facility in the past year alone. To accommodate this surge, the airport was recently allocated 15 additional flight slots, which will come into effect with the winter schedule, boosting daily movements to around 225. Once the new bays are operational, the airport will have the capacity to handle even higher traffic volumes and offer additional domestic and international connections.
The expansion also includes the construction of a dedicated cargo terminal, which experts say will improve logistical efficiency and support Pune’s growing commercial activity. The cargo terminal will serve as a hub for freight operations, facilitating quicker turnaround times and boosting air cargo capacity in the region. Concurrently, authorities are working on extending the runway to handle increased flight operations safely. “The availability of new bays and a cargo terminal will not only streamline aircraft parking and refuelling but also enhance the overall passenger experience. Operational delays caused by limited parking will be minimised, while additional infrastructure will support economic growth by enabling more flights and better connectivity,” the official added.
Union Ministry of Civil Aviation authorities have confirmed that the expansion is in line with Pune Airport’s strategic development plan to meet future air traffic demand. Experts highlight that the initiative reflects India’s commitment to modernising airport infrastructure sustainably, integrating operational efficiency with environmental and safety considerations. Once completed, the expansion is expected to reduce congestion at Pune Airport significantly, optimise flight schedules, and strengthen the city’s position as a key air travel hub in western India. Passengers, airlines, and logistics operators are poised to benefit from the increased capacity, improved service reliability, and potential new destinations emerging from the upgraded facilities.
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