AAI to pump in Rs 220cr for Pune airport rejig

With the Airports Authority of India (AAI) ready to pump in Rs 220 crore for an overhaul, the Pune International Airport is set for a complete makeover within the next two years.

Civilian air operations are however likely to remain severely affected during this timespan.

Pune Airport director Captain Deepak Shastri said parallel taxiway, aircraft hangars, airport complex expansion and various other minor projects are expected to begin during next the six months, for which huge investments have been approved.

The airport, governed by the Indian Air force (IAF), is already undergoing runway re-carpetting, due to which, daily flying hours have been curtailed.

"We have already spent Rs 70 crore on expansion of the passenger lobby and other facilities at the airport. The proposed projects include laying of parallel taxiway, construction of hangars, east-west expansion of airport complex and a cargo complex at the airport. The AAI has planned to spend Rs 150 crore for all these development works. All these projects would be completed in about two-and-a-half years," Shastri said.

Presently, the airport operates 30 flights every day. The restrictions on flying hours have leading to cancellation of five city-bound flights. With vaious projects coming up, the civil air operations are expected to remain affected in years to come.

Pune is also going to host the Commonwealth Youth Games in October next year. The AAI plans to keep the airport ready for the international event. "The IAF also is investing huge amounts onr runway development and expansion. Once this happens then landing of international flights would become easier at Pune airport," he added.