Pune Airport Set for Major Expansion, Direct Flights to America and Europe on the Horizon

In a significant development, Pune Airport is gearing up for a major expansion, with the current runway of 8,333 feet set to grow to nearly 10,000 feet. The runway extension, spanning 1,667 feet, is expected to facilitate direct flights to America and Europe, making travel more accessible for Pune residents. This initiative is estimated to cost around Rs. 160 crores.

 The efforts to extend the runway have been in progress, marked by a joint meeting of senior officials from the Air Force and Pune Municipal Corporation. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who inspected the new terminal last month, emphasized the importance of this expansion for improved connectivity.

 Furthermore, Collector Dr Suhas Diwase issued instructions for land acquisition, signalling the need for privately owned land alongside Air Force cooperation. The financial burden for this project will be shared, with the state government covering 60%, Pune Municipality 20%, Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipality and PMRDA each contributing 10%.

The runway extension involves redirecting the road from Vishrantwadi to Lohgaon via Wickfield Chowk, provided by the Municipal Corporation to the Air Force for the expansion. A new road will be constructed near the mine by Garrison Engineer, offering citizens an alternate route to Lohgaon from Vishrantwadi.

This expansion holds promise for Pune residents, as larger aircraft like: Airbus-a350 and Boeing-787 (Dreamliner) will soon take in. Currently, the airport handles smaller aircraft like Boeing 737, Airbus A319, A-320, A-321, Dash 8, and Ember ERJ, limiting long-distance travel options. After the runway expansion, non-stop international flights with passenger capacities ranging from 220 to 400 will become a reality, directly connecting Pune to America and Europe.

Pune’s Deputy Chief Minister has conveyed plans to request Union Air Transport Minister Jyotiraditya Shinde for the Air Ministry to take charge of the runway extension and bear the associated costs. The complete project is poised to enhance Pune Airport’s capabilities, facilitating seamless and uninterrupted international travel for its residents.