Summer schedule starts at Pune Airport

The summer schedule at Pune Airport kicked off on Sunday, March 31, but passengers might face disappointment as only three new flights are set to be added this year. Airlines are clamouring for daytime slots, but due to unavailability, only flights to Kolkata, Surat, and Jaipur will be included.

The airport administration cites challenges with Notice to Air Missions (NOTAMs), which hinder slot provision, affecting passenger convenience. Consequently, the summer schedule remains ‘dry’ for travellers, with just one flight each to Kolkata, Surat, and Jaipur.

Last year, new routes to Mumbai and Varanasi were launched, but this year, despite efforts, additional slots couldn’t be accommodated. Although night slots are open, airlines are hesitant to operate during these hours.

A Pune Airport official revealed that while 218 slots are allocated from Monday to Friday, only 195 are utilized, leaving several empty slots, including ‘red-eye’ flights. During peak hours, the airport handles 110 flights between 6 am and 10 pm.

Regarding the upcoming schedule, the official expressed uncertainty, stating that the number of new services would only be known on Sunday. Therefore, it’s premature to comment on the matter at this stage.

Therefore, the summer schedule at Pune Airport faces challenges due to slot availability constraints, resulting in limited new flight additions. Despite efforts from the airport administration, passenger convenience remains impacted, highlighting the need for continued collaboration to address these issues and improve air travel services.