Pune, 25 March 2026: The summer schedule at Pune Airport is set to begin from March 29, but the outlook for expansion remains uncertain. A combination of factors including rising fuel prices, declining airline revenues, and the ongoing conflict in West Asia has made airlines cautious about launching new routes from the city.
Instead of expansion, airlines are likely to focus on optimizing their existing operations. Experts believe that routes with low passenger demand may either see reduced frequency or be temporarily discontinued during the summer season.
The ongoing conflict in the Gulf region has had a notable impact on air travel demand. Many passengers are avoiding travel to these destinations, which were previously key revenue-generating sectors for airlines. With a drop in demand, airlines are witnessing significant revenue losses, prompting them to prioritize only profitable routes.
From Pune, routes to major metro cities such as Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai continue to see steady demand. However, flights connecting to other cities often struggle with lower occupancy.
Some of these routes currently operate multiple flights daily, while others have only a single service, making them more vulnerable to cuts.
Airlines are also expected to adopt a cautious approach by reserving airport slots without immediately starting services. This allows them flexibility to begin operations later if market conditions improve. The summer schedule at Pune Airport will remain in effect until September 26.
Although the Indian Air Force has approved 15 additional slots for Pune Airport, these are unlikely to be implemented this season. Planned runway recarpeting work in April will further limit operational capacity. Authorities are working to ensure that maintenance activities do not disrupt existing flight services.
"Given the current situation, the chances of new routes starting from Pune are quite low. Airlines may review existing sectors and reduce or suspend services where demand is weak," said aviation expert Dhairyashil Wandekar.
Airport Director Santosh Dhoke added, "The proposal for the summer schedule has been submitted to the DGCA and is awaiting approval. It is difficult to confirm which new routes will be introduced at this stage."
Overall, the summer season for Pune Airport is expected to be marked by caution rather than expansion, with airlines prioritizing sustainability over growth amid ongoing global and operational challenges.
