Pune Airport Rankings Drop Despite Passenger Surge
Pune Airport Rankings Drop Despite Passenger Surge
Pune Airport, despite witnessing increased passenger traffic, has fallen in the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) survey rankings for the second quarter of 2024. The airport slipped from 71st to 76th place, reflecting a decline in overall passenger satisfaction. Out of 31 survey parameters, Pune Airport scored low on 17, including cleanliness, Wi-Fi quality, and availability of charging stations.
Operational challenges at the airport’s old terminal, exacerbated by handling capacities beyond design, have been acknowledged. However, issues such as staff courtesy and service quality across check-in areas, security screening, immigration, and amenities like restaurants and shops have raised concerns among passengers and aviation experts alike.
www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic_survey
Dhairyashil Vandekar, an aviation expert, emphasized that passenger satisfaction hinges on more than just infrastructure; it demands ease of access and comfortable travel experiences. He said, “Service is all about making a passenger feel cared and valued when he is transiting through an airport and a great ambience and swanky infrastructure is just one facet of the airport experience and service. What actually matters for a passenger is the ease and comfort of access and travel through a particular airport. It is this experience that creates a passenger’s opinion whether service at a particular airport is satisfactory or not.” He further added, “While issues due to space constraints at Pune Airport’s old airport terminal are acceptable to some extent, those on account of lack of cleanliness, proper service by Airlines, security agencies, food outlets etc. cannot be justified. These issues have been occasionally cropping up in the past surveys and they again being reported in the last quarter definitely indicates that the airport authorities need to be more committed in these areas to improve the ranking and image of Pune airport. It is important that AAI makes collaborative efforts alongwith all the airport stakeholders to achieve the desired standards, moreso as the MoS Civil Aviation is now from Pune.”
AAI’s prompt corrective action has been urged to address shortcomings, particularly in basic amenities and staff behavior. The commitment to enhancing passenger experience is critical as Pune Airport aims to reclaim its standing and reputation in the global aviation landscape.
While infrastructural constraints are understood, lapses in service quality must be promptly rectified to enhance Pune Airport’s competitiveness and passenger satisfaction levels.
