Pune, one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, is currently attracting millions of people with its thriving IT industry.
Today, this airport is ranked as one of the top nine airports in the country, handling both domestic and international flights.
95 lakh passengers utilize it; however, due to the growing demand, a new airport is also being planned that will accommodate 60 million people from the Pune Metropolitan Region’s population.
Pune airport has surpassed 7.5 million, nearly double the figure from ten years ago. This growth is expected to continue in the future, leading to the development of various transportation projects are being built in the city, such as metro highways and a new airport.
The current Pune airport serves as the hub for the Indian Air Force, while also accommodating commercial flights also operate from a single runway. However, the new airport will feature two runways, effectively doubling the capacity for aircraft movement.
Let us know more about the Pune Airport.
Pune Airport: From Military Airfield to Commercial Hub
Pune Airport began as an airfield in 1939. During that time, World War II was underway, and the Royal Air Force, so the British Military started needing airfields across the country which were operational airfields throughout the country, similar to those in Delhi, Bombay, and Hyderabad.
They had completely taken over the area but focused on constructing new airfields in cities like Pune. The purpose of these airfields was to support the Allied forces through logistics, training, and aircraft maintenance. Their location was also strategic, as it was in proximity to other British military installations.
Mumbai, where it could provide air security if needed, has a squadron of Haval Mosquito multirole aircraft, Vickers Wellington bombers, and Supermarine Spitfire aircraft was stationed there.
When the war ended and India gained independence, it became the foundation of the Indian Air Force.
The second wing of the Air Force Station, known as Lohe Gaon, is the oldest in the Indian Air Force. One of the wings began operating as a station.
There are also 30 MKI fighter jets stationed here, which play a crucial role in the country’s air defence. For 30 years, only Air Force planes used to fly here. Passengers had to travel a considerable distance to catch a flight, such as to Mumbai, among other locations.
Introduction to Commercial Flights
After 1978, commercial flights gradually began operating here with the approval of the Indian Air Force. Recognizing the growing demand for air connectivity, the government made this decision.
The decision was made because Pune was emerging as an industrial and educational hub. A small area of this airport was allocated for civilian flights, transforming it into a joint-use facility where both civilian and military operations occur simultaneously.
The Airport Authority of India has commenced civil flight operations. The first flight, operated by Indian Airlines, was a domestic service to Mumbai, Delhi, and Hyderabad, these included business travelers, government officials and some coming from all over the country.
Students began traveling. There is only one runway, designated 1028. Previously, there were two runways arranged in a cross shape, but the other one was converted into a taxiway. The Air Force modified this remaining runway to accommodate both fighter jets as well as civilian flights.
A new civilian terminal was constructed at the South Western site; however, due to limited space and the sharing of resources, several issues began to arise, resulting in further delays.
Growth and Expansion
In the 1980s and 1990s, the demand for flights continued to increase, particularly in 2005, largely attributed to industrial expansion in the city, driven by the manufacturing sector and the automotive industry, including companies like TATA Motors and Mahindra.
In December 2005, Air India launched a route to Dubai, while Indian Airlines initiated a route to Singapore.
By the following year, passenger traffic had increased to 900,000. Due to this rising demand, the limitations of the airport became apparent.
The short runway hindered its ability to accommodate larger aircraft, and the terminal was also becoming increasingly cramped.
Consequently, a new modern terminal building was constructed at a cost of ₹100 crore, which was larger than the previous one.
This new terminal spans over 12,000 square meters and has the capacity of 40 lakh passengers annually. It includes new features such as a baggage handling system, additional check-in counters, and larger waiting areas and lounges.
Within this project, the runway was enhanced through the installation of improved lighting and navigation systems, allowing planes to operate 24 hours a day.
In order to facilitate continuous use, which was previously challenging, the apron has been expanded to accommodate more aircraft. This modification allows for the parking of up to eight Airbus A320 or Boeing 737 could come.
In the same year, Lufthansa’s inaugural flight from Frankfurt arrived in Pune, marking the first connection between a private airline and Europe. This route was operated using an Airbus A319, which featured only business class seating.
Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, SpiceJet, and IndiGo have commenced operations of flights connecting all major Indian cities.
Initially, traffic in this area was light due to its proximity to Mumbai; however, it gradually increased significantly over time.
Air India Express and SpiceJet have also established routes to Gulf countries.
Passenger traffic from all these regions increased from 1.5 million passengers in 2006 to 3 million passengers in 2011. In just five years, the authorities realized that the traffic would exceed its capacity of 4 million if action was not taken soon.
Expansion of Terminals
Hence, Pune airport authorities decided to build another terminal, T2. By 2018, 8 million people had already begun passing through it.
In terms of capacity of Pune airport, Terminal 2 (T2) spans 52,000 square meters and can accommodate 9 million passengers annually. It is also connected to the older Terminal 1 (T1), which is currently undergoing renovations.
The facility was closed, and all its operations were transferred to Terminal 2 (T2), which is currently accommodating 95 lakh passengers beyond its capacity.
It is serving and has been operational for less than a year and features a modern, stylish design with energy-efficient systems that prioritize passenger convenience. The facility includes 10 concourse bridges, over 50 service counters, baggage claim belts, retail stores, and lounges, all of which have been available for some time.
An international discussion was held regarding the expansion of expanding the flight destinations to Southeast Asia and Europe, which airlines will now be able to pursue.
There are also plans to construct a cargo terminal adjacent to this new terminal, as exports can be observed from this location. However, there is currently no dedicated cargo terminal in place.
The runway currently measures 2.5 kilometers in length. Although there were discussions about extending it as part of this project, challenges related to land acquisition have prevented any expansion, leaving us with only one 2.5 km long which was talked about being extended in this project but due to the challenge in land acquisition, it could not be done with one runway.
The airport’s capacity in the Pune airport is limited; however, it primarily serves as an Air Force base, which diminishes the interest in expanding its facilities.
There is a 2-kilometer-long parallel taxiway that has also been upgraded, and several new apron areas have been added. The terminal can accommodate six additional aircraft parking spaces.
A new air traffic control (ATC) tower is also planned but has not yet been constructed. Terminal One, which spans 22,000 square meters, is currently undergoing renovations. An allocation of ₹25 crore has already been sanctioned to enhance its modern aesthetics.
The layout will be optimized for greater efficiency. The departure area will be expanded to facilitate improved passenger movement. Sixteen new check-in counters will be established by repurposing the arrival area of the airport today.
There are 60 to 70 flights daily, primarily domestic, but the service also includes some international destinations such as Dubai, Singapore, and Bangkok from Pune airport.
Talking about cargo, Pune airport handled approximately 37,000 tonnes last year without a dedicated cargo terminal. Additionally, there are scheduling conflicts with the Indian Air Force (IAF) flights.
Due to national security concerns, they are given priority.
In light of the ongoing growth and limitations of the current Pune airport, the government has proposed the construction of a new greenfield airport in Purandar, located approximately 40 kilometers south of Pune.
Hadapsar Gliding Center
There is another aviation facility in Pune called the Hadapsar Gliding Center, which was established in 1951.
This is a glider drome where individuals receive training for glider pilot licenses from the DGCA. It is owned and features a facility that spans approximately 0.9 square kilometers, including a 1-kilometer-long unpaved airstrip.
Each year, approximately 3,000 glider flights are conducted, primarily by enthusiasts and hobbyists.
No commercial flights are operated. LET L-23 utilizes a fleet of Super Planic gliders, and the flying season typically runs from October to June, with operations completely suspended during the monsoon season.
It also has the advantage of raising awareness among young people about aviation, which may encourage them to pursue careers with commercial airlines or air carriers.
Joy rides, gliding lessons, and aviation experiences are offered to the public. By collaborating with various schools and colleges, children are also educated about aviation.
Many professional pilots began their journey here.
The Need for a New Airport
Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje International Airport, Purandar
Talking about the new airport in Pune, a plan has been proposed to construct the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje International Airport in Purandar. This airport is named after King Sambhaji Maharaj of the Maratha Empire, who was born near Purandar Fort.
Modern architecture will be incorporated into the airport, featuring a blend of futuristic design elements and traditional aspects of Maharashtra, inspired by local culture. The Pune airport will cover an area of 28 square kilometers and will be the first fully commercial airport in the region.
It is planned to be constructed in multiple phases in Pune. The first phase will have the capacity to accommodate 2 crore passengers annually, with future expansions increasing this capacity to 6 crore passengers per year.
Pune airport will be ranked among the top five airports in India. An investment of ₹15,000 crore will be allocated for the construction of Phase One, which will feature an integrated terminal building designed to accommodate both domestic and international passengers.
4 KM, will feature two runways, allowing it to accommodate two flights simultaneously. It will also be capable of handling the world’s largest aircraft, such as the Airbus A380 and Boeing 777, which were unable to land at the old airport.
The nearest major airport to Mumbai has two runways; however, because they intersect, only one can be used at a time. In contrast, the new airport in Pune will be able to handle more traffic. Additionally, a second airport in Navi Mumbai is under construction, featuring two parallel runways, which is expected to open even earlier, in 2025.
Fifty aircraft parking spaces will be constructed at Pune Airport, with the potential to expand to one hundred to accommodate all types of airplanes.
The first dedicated cargo terminal will be constructed here at Pune airport, serving as the cargo hub for the entire region.
Economic and Social Benefits
Purandar is well-known for its agricultural production, particularly of high-value crops such as grapes and pomegranates.
Baramati, located 100 kilometres southeast of Pune, is a significant hub for agribusiness and industry.
Businesses in this town and similar areas will be able to leverage the new cargo and logistics facility to support Pune’s industries, such as automotive and pharmaceuticals.
You will gain improved access to the global market and benefit from lower logistics costs.
Automobiles are available in Talegaon, Chakan, and Ranjangaon, which are located to the north of Pune.
There is a significant cluster of manufacturing in which all the major companies will have improved methods for importing components and exporting vehicles.
Overall, there are significant expectations for this cargo hub to stimulate the economy of the entire region and to create more job opportunities.
Airport Connectivity
Purandar area was chosen because it was anticipated that there would be an improvement in connectivity.
Magarpatta, Hadapsar, Kharadi, and Hinjewadi are some of the neighborhoods in Pune.
Due to the growth of the IT industry, areas that were once primarily farmland are rapidly developing.
Within just a few years, numerous office and residential towers have begun to emerge.
The new Pune airport will serve as a viable alternative for both Satara and Shirwal. Additionally, the travel time for towns like Baramati will be reduced, as they previously had to traverse the entire city of Pune to reach Lohegaon Airport.
Maharashtra Airports Development Company (MADC), a special-purpose entity of the Maharashtra Government, will construct the new Pune airport.
Cidco will hold a 51% stake, MADC will possess 19%, and the remaining 30% will be allocated through a partnership between the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation and the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority.
There is a plan to connect the airport with the road, rail, and metro networks, as well as major highways, including NH48. Additionally, it will be linked to Highway 65, and a special ring road will also be constructed.
The Pune Ring Road is an integral component of the state’s comprehensive transportation plan. A 173-kilometer-long, eight-lane expressway will be constructed at a cost of ₹30,000 crore, creating a loop around the entire Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad area.
Apart from this, it will also help alleviate congestion at the CSMI airport in Mumbai, which serves passengers from all of Western Maharashtra. Currently, limited international flights operate from Pune, forcing passengers to wait three to four hours.
One must travel for hours to reach Mumbai in order to connect to other destinations. This not only increases congestion at Mumbai Airport but also on the roads, which is quite inconvenient.
Already, 5 crore passengers pass through Mumbai Airport. When capacity is nearly reached, delays and bottlenecks are common occurrences.
Now, with the new airport, we will be able to connect to major global hubs such as London, Singapore, and New York.
Besides, Pune is home to several world-renowned educational institutions, including Savitribai Phule Pune University and Symbiosis University.
Thousands of students come here from across the country and around the world, making education more accessible to all.
The plan to construct a new Pune airport was initiated 20 years ago, in 2002, when the Union Government approved the establishment of an airport near Chakan, located to the north of Pune.
Airport Authority of India initially conducted surveys around Pune and identified Chakan as the optimal location. However, they had to change their plans due to opposition from local farmers.
They identified Purandar as the second-best location, noting that it was also flatter than Chakan; therefore, the project was relocated there.
The Maharashtra government has also approved a capital allocation of Rs. 200 crore for seven villages.
The land was originally designated for a 33 square kilometer area; however, landowners and farmers opposed the project, prompting the government to relocate it to another site near Purandar.
Challenges and Future Prospects
According to the initial plans, construction was scheduled to be completed by 2021. However, due to land issues, there have been delays, and as of now, construction has not yet begun.
It is anticipated that by next year, the land will be acquired and construction will commence.
After its completion, it will rank among the top airports in the country, with a capacity of 60 million passengers.
Today, there is only one airport handling more passengers than this, and that is Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, which serves 72 million passengers.
It has also become the tenth largest airport due to the addition of a new fourth runway. This expansion will enable the airport to accommodate six times more passengers, and aircraft movements will increase threefold.
Parking spaces will increase from the previous range of 12 to 50 to a new range of 20 to 60, allowing for the accommodation of larger aircraft with ease.
Besides, a dedicated cargo terminal will be constructed to ensure sustainability. Solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and green technology will be incorporated into the construction, similar to the Bangalore Kempegowda International Airport.
The new Terminal T2 at the airport is a magnificent structure and is considered one of the most beautiful terminals in the country.