Pune's Lohegaon Airport is gearing up for a significant surge in passenger numbers this year, with authorities projecting an addition of 10 lakh (1 million) flyers to the traffic recorded in 2025. This anticipated growth has prompted aviation experts to stress the urgent need for parallel infrastructure development to avoid congestion and delays.
New Facilities and Expansion Plans
To accommodate the rising traffic, a crucial project involving a new departure area with a full Security Hold Area (SHA) is set to be commissioned by March-April this year. Pune airport director Santosh Dhoke stated that this addition will streamline the check-in and security check process. "With the new SHA, the total area of the terminal building will increase too," Dhoke added.
The push for expansion comes on the heels of a 6% rise in total passenger traffic last year (2025) compared to 2024. Dhoke revealed that the airport is in talks with airlines to deploy larger aircraft like the Airbus A321, which can seat around 221 passengers, compared to the predominant A320s that carry about 170. "With these steps, the passenger traffic will definitely increase this year," he told TOI on Thursday.
Traffic Figures and Growth Targets
The airport has set an ambitious target of around 7% growth in 2026 compared to 2025. Breaking down last year's performance, domestic passenger traffic grew by nearly 5% in 2025, while international travel saw a dramatic spike of more than 65%. Flight movements and cargo handling also increased by approximately 5%.
Despite the Indian Air Force (IAF) allocating 15 new flight slots in October, taking the total to 237, a source indicated airlines have been slow to utilize them. Experts point to limited infrastructure, specifically a shortage of parking bays, as a key reason. The transfer of 15 acres of land from the IAF to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for additional parking remains pending.
Expert and Passenger Concerns
Aviation analyst Dhairyashil Vandekar emphasized the necessity of continuous capacity expansion. "This is essential to sustain growth while mitigating congestion, flight delays, baggage waits and parking bay shortage," he said. Vandekar called for expediting the renovation of the old terminal and its integration with the new building, alongside runway extension and more parking bays.
Frequent flyers echoed these concerns. Businessman Sanjay Rastogi cited the recent IndiGo crisis as a warning, urging authorities to enhance infrastructure "without delay." Another regular passenger, Pravin Sarathi, highlighted operational hiccups: "There are cases when an aircraft cannot find a bay and keeps hovering or flyers end up sitting inside for hours. Such a situation should not happen."
As Pune Airport prepares for a busier future, the focus remains on balancing ambitious growth projections with the concrete infrastructural upgrades needed to ensure a smooth and safe travel experience for all passengers.
