Pune: The cold wave gripping Maharashtra has not spared Pune district, where temperatures have significantly dropped over the past week. On Saturday (December 21), dense fog blanketed the city, disrupting both road and air travel.

Operations at Pune International Airport were severely affected, with 22 flights delayed between 6 AM and 12 PM, causing significant inconvenience to passengers.

Flights to key destinations such as Delhi, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Ranchi, Hyderabad, Kishangarh, Chennai, and Bangkok experienced delays ranging from 30 minutes to three hours. Additionally, one incoming flight to Pune had to be diverted to another city due to poor visibility, further aggravating the situation for passengers.

The new terminal at Pune International Airport has seen a steady increase in flight operations, with over 200 flights operating on weekends. This year has also seen an overall rise in flight numbers compared to the previous year.

Pune is now directly connected to 35 domestic airports and three international destinations, reflecting its growing importance as an aviation hub. However, the delays caused by Saturday's fog underscored the challenges of operating in adverse weather conditions.

Passengers expressed their frustrations on social media, citing missed meetings and delayed office arrivals. A morning flight from Pune to Bengaluru was delayed by five hours, leading several passengers to confront airline officials regarding the prolonged wait.

In a separate development, the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly recently passed a resolution to rename Pune’s Lohegaon Airport as "Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj Airport." The proposal has been forwarded to the central government for further action.