Pune: Passengers miss flights due to shift to new terminal, complain of mismanagement
Pune: Passengers miss flights due to shift to new terminal, complain of mismanagement
On the inaugural day of operations at Pune Airport’s new terminal, several passengers missed their Air India flights due to a lack of communication regarding the terminal change. While travellers praised the new terminal’s infrastructure, they voiced frustration over the limited number of check-in counters, which caused delays.
One passenger recounted, “I missed my Air India flight yesterday from Pune because all Air India flights moved to the new terminal and there was no notification. I arrived at the old terminal on time, used Digi Yatra for entry, completed security and reached the gate, only to discover the flights had been relocated. There was no communication from the airline, and the staff at the ticket counter rudely stated that it’s not their responsibility to inform passengers about terminal changes.”
Air India responded on its official ‘X’ handle, saying, “We regret the inconvenience caused. We never want our passengers to face such issues while travelling with us. Please DM us your booking details so we can investigate.”
Another traveller shared their experience, “Cabs are allowed up to the main entrance and I faced a more than five-minute delay near Aero Mall due to traffic moving into the old terminal and out of the parking lot. I was 43rd in line at security, with only six active counters at the new terminal.”
Passengers noted that the new terminal, while operational, is not fully functional. “Beyond the security counters, it still looks like a work in progress. A couple of food counters are open near gate number 3 and the washrooms are in good condition. The terminal is far from being fully operational. To have so many issues on the first day reflects a lack of commitment. We will need to wait this out and, in the meantime, add at least a 30-minute buffer if you plan to fly from here soon,” commented another passenger.
Additionally, there were complaints about poor ventilation in the new terminal. “It’s suffocating inside the new terminal building at Pune Airport, which opened on July 14, 2024. People are using newspapers and paper plates as fans,” one traveller noted.
In response, Pune Airport director Santosh Dhoke stated, “We have installed boards at the old terminal about the change in airlines operating from the new terminal. Our staff is also deployed at the departure gates to assist passengers. However, as the change is new, regular passengers might have missed it. Additionally, all check-in counters at the new terminal are ready to use and it’s up to the airlines to decide how many counters to operate to handle the rush.”
Pune MP and Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, recently held a meeting to discuss connectivity to Pune Airport’s new terminal. Various aspects of road connectivity were reviewed.
