Pune: In a move to improve the passenger experience, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has announced an expansion plan for Pune International Airport’s New Integrated Terminal Building (NITB). The Union Minister of State for Cooperation and Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, shared the news via social media on Monday evening.
Currently, the NITB features 34 check-in counters, capable of handling up to 3,000 passengers during peak hours. The planned addition of 16 new counters will increase the total number to 50. This expansion, set to cover an additional 4,000 square metres at a cost of Rs 25 crore, is expected to be completed by March 2025.
The expansion aims to streamline passenger processing by reducing check-in and frisking times. It will also enhance security with the installation of additional door frame metal detectors (DFMDs) and X-ray machines and provide space for retail outlets.
The new check-in counters will be situated in the renovated arrival hall of the old terminal, which will be repurposed into an extended departure hall and linked to the new terminal. This upgrade follows the recent commissioning of the NITB on July 14 this year.
In another news, Goa-based regional airline FLY91 has announced the launch of direct flights on the Goa-Pune-Goa and Pune-Sindhudurg-Pune routes, starting from August 31 and operating on weekends. “Two flights will operate on the Goa-Pune-Goa route on Saturday and Sunday, with flight IC1376 (GOX-PNQ) departing the Manohar International Airport (MIA) in Goa at 0635 hrs to arrive at the Pune International Airport at 0740 hrs. Meanwhile, flight IC1375 (PNQ-GOX) will depart from the Pune International Airport at 1055 hrs to arrive at the MIA, Goa, at 1210 hrs,” the airline said in a press statement. “This new route strengthens our commitment to enhancing regional air connectivity, particularly between key tourism hubs and emerging destinations,” FLY91 said.