PUNE: The month of June has been good for air passengers as 11 new flights to different destinations from the Pune airport have started operations. Airport authorities hope the remaining empty slots too will be filled during the ongoing summer schedule.
New flights to Delhi, Nagpur, Jodhpur, Ahmedabad and Bengaluru from Pune started in June, said the officials, who added that these flights have bridged the gap caused by the suspension of GoFirst services. “GoFirst had around seven flights to Delhi, Bengaluru and Nagpur from Pune. With these destinations getting new flights, the flyers are relieved. We believe that by the end of the summer schedule, most of the empty slots will be taken by airlines,” an airport official told TOI.
Moreover, the first week of July will see two new flights to Rajkot and Vadodara. Also, a new flight to Hyderabad will start early next month. Later in the year, another flight to Goa will begin. This flight will operate from the Manohar international airport in North Goa. Pune already has a flight to South Goa’s Dabolim airport.
Currently, Pune’s daily flight movement count is between 89 to 92. “This means that every day, there are 178 to 184 arrivals and departures. Last year, during the festive period, daily flight movements (arrivals and departures) had touched almost 200 — just like in the pre-pandemic times. The start of the summer schedule this year was not very exciting as flight movements didn’t change much and only two new flights to Mumbai and Varanasi were added. However, June has been good,” the official said.
Flyers said while new connections are welcome, the airport needs to be cautious. “Long queues during check-ins, security checks, confusion at boarding gates, lack of space to sit while waiting for flights etc. are common at the airport whenever flights increase. The authorities should ensure passengers are not hassled,” said Sriram Ghodke, a frequent flyer.
Another airport official said by the time the summer schedule ends, the airport will have a new terminal building.
New flights to Delhi, Nagpur, Jodhpur, Ahmedabad and Bengaluru from Pune started in June, said the officials, who added that these flights have bridged the gap caused by the suspension of GoFirst services. “GoFirst had around seven flights to Delhi, Bengaluru and Nagpur from Pune. With these destinations getting new flights, the flyers are relieved. We believe that by the end of the summer schedule, most of the empty slots will be taken by airlines,” an airport official told TOI.
Moreover, the first week of July will see two new flights to Rajkot and Vadodara. Also, a new flight to Hyderabad will start early next month. Later in the year, another flight to Goa will begin. This flight will operate from the Manohar international airport in North Goa. Pune already has a flight to South Goa’s Dabolim airport.
Currently, Pune’s daily flight movement count is between 89 to 92. “This means that every day, there are 178 to 184 arrivals and departures. Last year, during the festive period, daily flight movements (arrivals and departures) had touched almost 200 — just like in the pre-pandemic times. The start of the summer schedule this year was not very exciting as flight movements didn’t change much and only two new flights to Mumbai and Varanasi were added. However, June has been good,” the official said.
Flyers said while new connections are welcome, the airport needs to be cautious. “Long queues during check-ins, security checks, confusion at boarding gates, lack of space to sit while waiting for flights etc. are common at the airport whenever flights increase. The authorities should ensure passengers are not hassled,” said Sriram Ghodke, a frequent flyer.
Another airport official said by the time the summer schedule ends, the airport will have a new terminal building.
