Pune Airport Effortlessly Manages Diwali Rush Through Strategic Planning
Pune Airport Effortlessly Manages Diwali Rush Through Strategic Planning
The Pune airport successfully navigated the surge in passenger traffic during the Diwali period, thanks to meticulous planning and efficient execution. Travelers who arrived at the airport four-and-a-half hours early, were pleasantly surprised by the seamless security checks. “There was crowding, but the CISF team looked prepared, and I was able to clear security within five minutes,” Mishra said.
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) contingent set a target of clearing queues within nine minutes, which was consistently met throughout the period. “All security checks were completed within the stipulated time, and there were no complaints,” an airport official confirmed. Pune Airport Director Santosh Dhoke attributed the smooth operations to several factors while responding to media person.
According to Dhoke, the airport’s success was due to the effective use of inline baggage screening systems, data-driven staffing decisions, strategic queue management, and optimized x-ray machine usage. “We took hourly data on the number of passengers from airlines and carefully studied the passenger load factor. We prepared a plan for the busiest and leanest times, based on which the staff were told to practise dynamic posting of personnel,” Dhoke explained.
While some travelers experienced minor confusion due to flights operating from both buildings, they praised the security check process. “Last time, it took me almost an hour to clear security, but this time it was fine,” said a Pune resident who traveled to Goa for Diwali.
However, frequent flyer Ramesh Pandey cautioned that the real test lies ahead. “The airport is currently operational from both buildings, which divides the crowd. We’ll see what happens when all flights move to the new building,” Pandey said.
The Pune airport’s Diwali operations demonstrate the effectiveness of strategic planning and collaboration between airport authorities, CISF, and airlines. As the airport continues to grow, this successful model will serve as a benchmark for future peak travel periods.
