Pune: The Pune airport, based at Lohegaon, is one of the busiest airports in the country, which currently handles 200 flights - arrival and departure - daily. This has boosted the infrastructure inside the terminal building this year.
The airport authority has taken several steps towards providing better facilities to passengers. Besides, the fifth international flight was also launched from Pune to Singapore.
The airport has witnessed the launch of several big projects this year.
Construction of new terminal building
One of the most awaited projects that is constructions of the new terminal building started this year after a contractor was appointed for the purpose. The process of land acquisition was finally completed in the middle of the year. In August, the tender was awarded to Mumbai-based ITD Cementation India Ltd.
The company had filed the lowest bid at Rs 358 crore. The work is expected to get over by 2021. The airport will have a capacity of 20-million passenger traffic per year. The new terminal building is expected to increase the number of flights, including short-distance international flights to south-east Asian countries.
The construction of the terminal building, which will be 42,000 sq mt, would be done at the cost of Rs 400 crore. A project management consultant was appointed in May 2017. EGIS India has been appointed consultant for the project. It had presented the final design of the building, which has been approved by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) in May. It will take 24 months to complete the project.
A public hearing was held in connection with the environmental clearance for the project. The new building will be GRIHA-4 compliant.
Revenue growth
The Pune airport recorded revenue growth of 160 per cent in 2017-18 as compared to the previous financial year. The Pune airport beat Ahmedabad and Goa, which are at the second and third places, respectively.
As per data provided by the Pune airport, revenue of Rs 146 crore was generated during 2017-18, which is 160 per cent higher than the previous financial year. In 2016-17, the airport recorded Rs 56 crore in revenue. The airport earned Rs 30 crore in 2015-16 while Rs 28 crore was earned in 2014-15. The Ahmedabad airport is at the second place with earnings of Rs 143 crore in 2017-18 and Goa is at the third place.
Seven-storey parking
The AAI has approved the structural plan of the seven-storey parking proposed to be built in front of the airport. The facility will start operation by the end of the 2018 financial year.
The 1.5 lakh square feet structure will come up on the land that was handed over to the AAI by the Indian Air Force last year. The facility will be developed with a ‘blended financial model’ with the AAI, too, investing, along with the private party, for erecting the facility. It is estimated to have a capacity to park 1,000 vehicles.
Food outlets
The airport authority will start six food outlets on its premises. The terminal building will offer ‘Puneri Taste’. A decision that will bring some relief to passengers from exorbitant charging by existing outlets in the airports is the plan to open ‘low-cost tea, coffee and water bottle counter’ at the check-in area. Private players will be provided with a four-square metre space to set up low-cost food counters of vada pav, tea and coffee, water bottle and bhel and pani puri. They will have to pay monthly Rs 9,000 to the AAI, besides the rent of Rs 2,100 per month.
New international flight
From December 1, 2018, a direct flight from Pune to Singapore was started. Earlier, there were only four international flights – from Pune to Dubai (2), Abu Dhabi (1) and Frankfurt (1). This new flight has opened the door for fliers to visit South-East Asia easily.