Pune, 1st December 2025: Pune Airport has achieved an unbelievable milestone by securing the 19th position among India’s busiest airports for international passenger traffic. This ranking is significant considering the airport currently operates only two international routes and still lacks a full-fledged international runway.
According to Bureau of Immigration data for 2024, a total of 10,663 foreign tourists arrived in Pune. In comparison, Delhi topped the national chart with over 32 lakh international passengers, while Madurai saw the lowest arrivals at 10,570.
Aviation observers say this ranking reflects Pune’s rising global travel demand, driven by its growing business sector and increasing international movement. At present, Pune is directly connected only to Dubai and Bangkok, mainly due to operational limitations caused by its short runway and its functioning as an Indian Air Force base.
The current runway measures 2,535 metres in length and 45 metres in width, falling short of what larger long-haul aircraft require. A proposal is under review to extend the runway by 1,000 metres, 650 metres on the eastern end and 350 metres on the western side.
Once completed, the runway would stretch to 9,316 feet, making it easier for wide-body international jets to operate from Pune.
Experts believe that the combination of runway expansion, upgraded terminal facilities, and new overseas routes could help Pune rise further in national rankings and better serve its expanding business and tourism community.
