Pune: In a significant upgrade to Pune’s aviation services, the city’s international airport has been granted 15 additional flight slots, bringing the total number of permitted daily flights from 220 to 235. The enhancement was announced by Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol on Saturday and is set to improve both the frequency and flexibility of air travel to and from the city.
The new slots were approved after continuous dialogue between Minister Mohol and the Indian Air Force (IAF), which jointly manages the airport’s airspace. Responding to the minister’s request, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari sanctioned the expansion of operational flight timings between 6:00 a.m. and 10:29 p.m.
“This addition will allow airlines to better plan their schedules, especially during high-demand morning and evening hours,” said Mohol. “While we are actively working towards developing the new Purandar International Airport, optimizing the current airport remains a key focus.”
The need for increased capacity has become urgent in recent years as Pune has grown into a major hub for IT, education, and manufacturing. The newly approved slots are expected to ease congestion and enhance direct connectivity to major cities such as Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad, while also opening the door for new domestic routes.
Travelers can look forward to more frequent flights, reduced delays, and improved scheduling options—developments that signal a promising future for Pune’s air travel ecosystem
