Pune Airport Prepares For Winter Tourism Season With Plans To Operate More Flights

Pune, 29th October 2023: This year, the administration at Pune Airport has taken measures to enhance connectivity and facilitate passengers. They’ve increased the number of available ‘slots’ to accommodate more flights. Notably, 218 slots are allocated between Monday and Friday, 220 on Saturday, and 247 on Sunday. However, despite these efforts, there has been an unexpected lack of response from airline companies.

As the winter season, spanning from November to February, is considered favourable for tourism, the airport administration has focused its winter operations during this period. Their primary goal is to increase the number of flights, ensuring connectivity during this crucial time. It is planned that 218 flights will operate from Pune between Monday and Friday, but in reality, only 200 flights are scheduled. The daily passenger count is expected to reach 40 thousand during this season.

Airlines have chosen to concentrate their services on metro cities, and daily flights will be capped at 100 during the winter season. The ‘Udaan’ scheme will also begin serving one or two underserved cities, aiming to improve connectivity in these areas.

The Pune Airport has 10 slots for take-offs and landings every hour during the day and seven take-offs and landings per hour at night. The airport authority had requested 20 additional ‘slots’ per day from the Air Force, but the request was denied, as the Air Force cited concerns about its traffic.

Pune Airport Director Santosh Dhoke expressed, “The winter schedule commences this Sunday, and we’re focusing on increasing the number of flights. We have an ample number of ‘slots’ available to support this endeavour.”