Pune Airport To Get 13 Acres Of Land From IAF For Expansion
Pune Airport to Conduct Emergency Blackout Drill Tonight
In a bid to enhance its infrastructure and reduce congestion, the Lohegaon airport in Pune will soon receive 13 acres of land from the Indian Air Force (IAF). The land will be utilized to expand the apron area, create remote bays, and construct five additional aircraft parking bays.
Pune airport director Santosh Dhoke told Times of India that the land transfer is expected to take place over the next three months. “We will receive the land once the IAF shifts into its new offices, which are currently under construction. The Airport Authority of India (AAI) will construct offices for the IAF in lieu of the land,” Dhoke said.
The expansion is much-needed, as the airport currently handles 198-200 flight movements daily, resulting in frequent instances of flight bunching. This has led to passengers often having to wait inside the aircraft after landing.
The existing 10 parking bays and 10 aerobridges at the airport are insufficient to handle the growing air traffic. The construction of five additional parking bays and three remote bays will help alleviate the congestion and provide a smoother experience for passengers.
The remote bays are particularly important, as they will provide a safe and secure area for aircraft to be taken for security checks in case of hoax bomb threats. Currently, the airport does not have any remote bays, and aircraft are either taken to active bays or parked far away from the active bay areas.
Meanwhile, the advisory committee for the Pune airport is set to be re-constituted, with a meeting expected to take place soon. The committee, which comprises frequent flyers, district administration and police officials, business community members, airlines, and IAF officials, plays a crucial role in addressing issues related to the airport’s operations and infrastructure.
