Pune International Airport

Pune Airport
पुणे आंतरराष्ट्रीय विमानतळ, लोहगाव
Lohegaon Airport
IATA: PNQICAO: VAPO
PNQ
Location of airport in India
Summary
Airport type Military/Public
Operator Airports Authority of India
Location Pune
Elevation AMSL 1,942 ft / 592 m
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
10/28 2,539 8,329 Asphalt
14/32 1,796 5,893 Asphalt
Statistics (Apr '10 - Mar '11)
Passenger movements 2,808,939
Aircraft movements 21,764
Cargo tonnage 27,828
Source: AAI [1][2][3]

Pune Airport (Marathi: पुणे आंतरराष्ट्रीय विमानतळ, लोहगाव) (IATA: PNQICAO: VAPO) is located approximately 10 km (6.2 mi) north-east of Pune in the state of Maharashtra, India. The airport, operated by the Airports Authority of India, shares its runway with Lohegaon Air Base. The airport had international flights to Dubai and Singapore commenced by Indian.[4] These flights however were cancelled later. Currently there are two international destinations out of Pune, which are to Frankfurt by PrivatAir (operating for Lufthansa), and to Dubai by Air India Express.

Contents

Overview

As Pune airport is in fact an Air Force Base operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF), there is at times frequent friction between the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the IAF over schedules of flights or the landing of aircraft at night. However there is currently a basic working relationship between the two concerned parties and both have agreed to allow night landings of civilian flights for the time being, though this is not a long-term solution.

Proposal for new Pune International Airport

A brand new greenfield Pune International Airport for the Pune metropolitan region has been on the horizon for a long time and Government of Maharashtra has entrusted the responsibility to Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) for executing the Pune International Airport project.[5] Probable sites for this project had earlier included areas around Talegaon Dabhade and Saswad near Pune. The current area under consideration is the area between Chakan and Rajgurunagar, namely around the villages of Chandus and Shiroli both situated at a distance of 40 km (25 mi) from Pune along the Pune - Nashik National highway, National Highway 50. The new Pune International Airport would act as a gateway of Pune and western Maharashtra to the rest of the world, and agricultural and floricultural exports are expected to get a faster movement to its international markets on the completion of this project.

This airport will spread over 2535 hectares (6338 acres), so it will be the largest airport in India after completion. This airport will have two runways. After construction of the new airport Pune will get more international flights.

MADC has currently requested for proposals from consultants to conduct techno-economic feasibility studies, assist in obtaining the required statutory approvals and provide project management services. This airport is expected to start by 2011.[6]

Renovation

The AAI is constructing additional terminals, since the current terminal can handle only 550 people at a time. After construction, it will be able to handle over 1,200 people at a time. The new terminal will be built to international standards.

The runway is also under renovation and will be extended to 3,250 metres from the current length of 2,600 metres.

After completion of the ongoing renovation work the airport will be able to handle larger aircraft than currently possible. Instrument Landing System (ILS) has also been proposed which would be operational shortly to ensure smooth takeoffs and landings even in deteriorated weather conditions.

Airlines and destinations

Passenger

Airlines Destinations
Air India Bangalore, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad
Air India Express Dubai, Mumbai
FlyMarco Bangalore, Delhi, Glasgow International, Goa, Hyderabad, Jakarta, Mumbai
GoAir Bangalore, Delhi
IndiGo Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Nagpur
Jagson Airlines Shirdi
Jet Airways Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Indore, Kolkata, Mumbai
Kingfisher Airlines Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Jammu
One Way: Goa (Pune - Bangalore)
Lufthansa operated by PrivatAir Frankfurt
SpiceJet Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Jaipur

Cargo

Airlines Destinations
Kingfisher Xpress Ahmedabad
Yanda Airlines Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi, Sharjah

Transport to and from airport

There are pre-paid taxicab services to and from airport along with pre-paid auto rickshaws. There is a coach service to various key locations in Pune and private car rental services are also available. There is proposal for a metrorail in Pune which will offer a connection to the airport.

References

India portal
Aviation portal

External links