The development of a state-of-the-art heliport at the Hadapsar Gliding Centre in Pune is set to commence this winter. Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Pune MP Murlidhar Mohol announced that the land transfer process to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is in its final stages, with construction likely to begin by November.
Project Overview
Spanning over 250 acres, the Hadapsar Gliding Centre was managed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) until December 2024. It has since been leased to the AAI for 99 years, enabling the heliport's development. The project was initially announced in May last year and is expected to provide dedicated infrastructure for helicopter operations in and around Pune.
Benefits for Helicopter Traffic
Mohol stated, "The heliport is expected to provide dedicated infrastructure for helicopter operations in and around Pune, improving both efficiency and safety amid the growing chopper traffic." Pune currently has an estimated 18–20 helicopters, both private and commercial. The city and its suburbs have around 10 permanent helipads and 30–35 temporary landing points. Industry stakeholders believe a dedicated heliport would streamline operations and centralize services.
Industry Perspectives
Ishwarchandra Gulgule, Managing Director of Kaigu Aviation, emphasized, "A single, well-equipped heliport will provide adequate space for landings and take-offs, along with a centralized point of coordination. Considering the high movement of choppers in Pune, the project is very important." He noted that the Lohegaon airport handles frequent VIP helicopter movements, and diverting such traffic to a separate heliport would ease pressure on airport operations.
Safety and Coordination
Pilots have expressed support for the initiative, stressing that operations managed by a government agency tend to be more coordinated and safer. They pointed out that the region has witnessed several helicopter incidents in the past, and centralized management could improve oversight. One pilot remarked, "This should be a priority project of the government. A fully functional heliport, equipped with fuelling facilities, hangars, lighting systems and passenger terminals, is expected to significantly enhance operational efficiency and safety for helicopter services in Pune."
