Pune Airport Summer Schedule: Limited Flight Additions and International Disruptions
The upcoming summer flight schedule, effective from Sunday, is set to be a subdued affair for Pune Airport, with minimal new flight additions and significant disruptions to international connectivity. Minor adjustments are anticipated, but the overall impact is expected to be limited, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Schedule Adjustments and Underutilized Slots
IndiGo's Patna flight is slated to shift to a red-eye slot, but the 15 additional slots allocated to Pune last year are likely to remain underutilized. Pune airport director Santosh Dhoke stated that he has not yet received the final summer schedule and lacks clarity on potential new flights. Details will be made public once the schedule is finalized.
Currently, Pune Airport handles approximately 190 to 195 flight movements daily, with passenger traffic ranging between 34,000 and 35,000. Prior to the West Asia conflict, the airport recorded over 200 daily flight movements and nearly 40,000 passengers, indicating a notable decline.
International Connectivity Severely Impacted
The conflict in West Asia has led to the suspension of several key international services. SpiceJet and IndiGo's regular flights to Dubai have been halted, along with Air India Express services to Abu Dhabi. Additionally, IndiGo recently suspended its Pune–Bangkok operations, and Air India did the same earlier for the Pune–Singapore route.
As a result, the number of international services from Pune has dwindled to just one—the Air India Express flight to Bangkok. Officials have indicated that no new international services will be introduced under the new summer schedule, further exacerbating the connectivity issues.
Domestic Flight Reductions and Airline Priorities
Estimates suggest that airlines will operate just over 23,000 domestic flights during the summer schedule period ending October 24, representing a roughly 10% decrease compared to last year. Carriers are increasingly prioritizing new airports such as Navi Mumbai International Airport and Noida International Airport due to greater slot flexibility, in contrast to capacity-constrained hubs like Pune.
A senior airline official, requesting anonymity, noted that while new flights from Pune are not entirely ruled out, airlines will exercise caution due to rising fares. "We aren't saying that there won't be new flights from the city, but airlines will be careful as fares have gone up," the official explained.
Expert Insights on Airspace and Scheduling
Aviation expert Sanjay Lazar highlighted that airlines are reworking their schedules in response to airspace restrictions over Iran and Pakistan. "There is a strong possibility of an interim mid-summer schedule depending on how long the conflict continues. Unfortunately, Pune's available slots have not been effectively leveraged," he remarked.
Aviation analyst Dhairyashil Vandekar pointed out that Pune's strong domestic demand could serve as a buffer despite international setbacks. "Airlines may explore Pune as a secondary hub for domestic expansion," he suggested, indicating potential opportunities for growth in the domestic sector.
Overall, the summer schedule presents challenges for Pune Airport, with limited additions and ongoing disruptions, while airlines shift focus to more flexible airport options.
