Pune airport
| Pune Airport पुणे विमानतळ, लोहगाव Lohegaon Airport |
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IATA: PNQ – ICAO: VAPO
 PNQ
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| Summary | |||
| Airport type | Military/Public | ||
| Operator | Airports Authority of India | ||
| Location | Pune, Maharashtra, India | ||
| Elevation AMSL | 1,942 ft / 592 m | ||
| Coordinates | 18°34′56″N 073°55′11″E / 18.58222°N 73.91972°E | ||
| Runways | |||
| Direction | Length | Surface | |
| m | ft | ||
| 10/28 | 2,539 | 8,329 | Asphalt |
| 14/32 | 1,796 | 5,893 | Asphalt |
| Statistics (Apr '10 - Mar '11) | |||
| Passenger movements | 2,808,939 | ||
| Aircraft movements | 21,764 | ||
| Cargo tonnage | 27,828 | ||
| Source: AAI [1][2][3] | |||
Pune Airport (Marathi: पुणे विमानतळ, लोहगाव) (IATA: PNQ, ICAO: VAPO) is located approximately 10 km (6.2 mi) north-east of Pune in the state of Maharashtra, India. The airport is a civil enclave operated by the Airports Authority of India at the eastern side of Lohegaon Air Base of the Indian Air Force. The airport handles both domestic and international flights. Currently there are two international destinations out of Pune, which are to Frankfurt by PrivatAir (operating for Lufthansa), and to Dubai by Air India Express.
Contents |
[edit] Overview
Pune Airport has a 2535 metre long runway oriented 10/28. An erstwhile secondary runway is now used as a taxiway by the Indian Air Force (IAF). A 2200m X 23m parallel taxiway has been constructed by AAI to facilitate civil operation on the southern side of Rwy 10/28. The Airfield is Equipped with Night Landing Facilities as well as Navigational facilities like DVOR/DME and an NDB. [4] As Pune's Air Traffic Control is in fact one of an Air Force Base operated by the IAF[5], there is at times frequent friction between the AAI and the IAF over schedules of flights or the landing of aircraft at night. However there is currently a basic working relationship between the two concerned parties and both have agreed to allow night landings of civilian flights for the time being, though this is not a long-term solution.
[edit] History
The Pune Airport was declared as a Customs airport in January, 1997 for the export of specified goods. With effect from 12th December 2005, Pune Airport was notified as an International Airport for the clearance of passengers and baggage.[6] International flights to Dubai and Singapore commenced by Indian in 2005.[7] These flights however were cancelled later. In 2004-05, Pune Airport handled about 165 passengers a day, which works out to around 60,000 a year. It increased to 250 passengers a day in 2005-06. This was followed by a sharp rise in 2006-07 when passengers reached 4,309 a day making it over 15,00,000 a year and more than 28 lakh passengers a year in 2010- 2011, which works out to about 8,000 passengers a day.[8]
A Rs 100-crore airport modernisation plan was launched in August 2008 ahead of the Commonwealth Youth Games hosted by Pune. AAI constructed two new terminal buildings for international passenger departures and arrivals, measuring nearly 12,000 sq. mt. on either side of the 6,500 sq mt old main terminal building which was inadequate to hold the growing rush of air passengers and flight operations. The new buildings have helped ease peak-time pressure of air passengers. Facilities developed on the air side included a new parallel taxi track and an apron expanded to accommodate eight Airbus A-320 or Boeing 737 aircraft. Two Aerobridges were also commissioned in 2011. New conveyor belts and passenger facilitation services including a moden spa were also commissioned.[9]
[edit] Air Force Station, Lohegaon
Lohegaon Air Force Station at Pune is one of the oldest establishments in the Indian Air Force. An IAF Base Repair Depot and three SU-30 MKI squadrons — Lightening, Rhinos and Lions — are based at Lohegaon.
[edit] Future Upgrades
The AAI will invest nearly Rs 20 crore in 2012 for various expansion projects at the airport, include a three storey administrative complex located near the entrance of the airport terminal building, new hangars for small private aircraft and a canopy on the city side of the airport terminal building.
All the offices of the AAI and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will move to the new administrative block, creating more space in the terminal building. The building will also house a VIP lounge with independent access to the airport terminal building.The airport power sub-station near the entrance gate will also be shifted to the new building this freeing up more space for developing passenger amenities.[9]
The runway is also under renovation and will be extended to 3,250 metres from the current length of 2,600 metres. After completion of the ongoing renovation work the airport will be able to handle larger aircraft than currently possible. Instrument Landing System (ILS) has also been proposed which would be operational shortly to ensure smooth takeoffs and landings even in deteriorated weather conditions.[10]
[edit] Proposal for new Pune International Airport
A brand new greenfield Pune International Airport for the Pune metropolitan region has been on the horizon for a long time and Government of Maharashtra has entrusted the responsibility to Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) for executing the Pune International Airport project.[11] Probable sites for this project had earlier included areas around Talegaon Dabhade and Saswad near Pune. The current area under consideration is the area between Chakan and Rajgurunagar, namely around the villages of Chandus and Shiroli both situated at a distance of 40 km (25 mi) from Pune along the Pune - Nashik National highway, National Highway 50. This airport will be spread over 2,535 hectares (6,338 acres), will have two runways and will be the largest airport in India after completion.
MADC had requested for proposals from consultants to conduct techno-economic feasibility studies, assist in obtaining the required statutory approvals and provide project management services. Work on this airport was expected to have started by 2011.[12]
[edit] Airlines and destinations
[edit] Passenger
| Airlines | Destinations |
|---|---|
| Air India | Bangalore, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad |
| Air India Express | Dubai |
| GoAir | Bangalore, Delhi |
| IndiGo | Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Nagpur |
| Jagson Airlines | Shirdi |
| Jet Airways | Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Indore, Kolkata, Mumbai |
| Kingfisher Airlines | Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad |
| Lufthansa operated by PrivatAir | Frankfurt |
| SpiceJet | Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Jaipur |
[edit] Cargo
| Airlines | Destinations |
|---|---|
| Yanda Airlines | Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi, Sharjah |
[edit] Transport to and from airport
There are pre-paid taxicab services to and from airport along with pre-paid auto rickshaws. There is a coach service to various key locations in Pune and private car rental services are also available. There is proposal for a metrorail in Pune which will offer a connection to the airport.
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.aai.aero/traffic_news/mar2k11annex3.pdf
- ^ http://www.aai.aero/traffic_news/mar2k11annex2.pdf
- ^ http://www.aai.aero/traffic_news/mar2k11annex4.pdf
- ^ AAI website, 1 November 2011, http://www.aai.aero/allAirports/pune_technicalinfo.jsp, retrieved 1 February 2012
- ^ AAI website, 1 November 2011, http://www.aai.aero/allAirports/pune_technicalinfo.jsp, retrieved 1 February 2012
- ^ "Pune Customs website". http://www.punecustoms.nic.in/aboutus.htm. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
- ^ Pune airport accorded international status
- ^ "Passenger traffic at Pune airport takes a big leap". Indian Express. 14 October 2011. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/passenger-traffic-at-pune-airport-takes-a-big-leap/859721/0. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
- ^ a b "Pune airport braces for swanky look AAI to spend Rs 20 cr". Times of India. 19 October 2011. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-19/pune/30297378_1_terminal-building-lohegaon-airport-airport-security. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
- ^ "Indian Air Force projects MAFI, GAGAN to benefit Pune airport". Indian Express. 20 April 2011. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/indian-air-force-projects-mafi-gagan-to-benefit-pune-airport/778566/0. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
- ^ New Airport for Pune
- ^ New Airport to take off by 2011
[edit] External links
- Discover Pune
- Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC)
- Proposal for Pune International Airport
- New airport site under wraps
- Airport information for VAPO at World Aero Data. Data current as of October 2006.Source: DAFIF.
- Airport information for VAPO at Great Circle Mapper. Source: DAFIF (effective Oct. 2006).
- Accident history for PNQ: Pune-Lohegaon Airport at Aviation Safety Network
- Flight Schedule Departure Pune International Airport (PNQ)
- Flight Schedule Arrival Pune International Airport (PNQ)
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