Pune International Airport (IATA: PNQ, ICAO: VAPO) is located approximately 10 km (6.2 mi) north-east of Pune in the state of Maharashtra, India. The airport, operated by the Airports Authority of India, shares its runway with Lohegaon Air Base. Air India has begun operating direct flights from Pune to Dubai, as also Indian Airlines with flights to Singapore thus giving it international status.[1] Pune Airport also serves Indian Airlines, Jet Lite and Jet Airways, that run domestic flights connecting Pune to major Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Hyderabad, as well as budget carriers like SpiceJet and Deccan.
A brand new greenfield Pune International Airport for the Pune metropolitan region has been on the horizon for a long time and Government of Maharashtra has entrusted the responsibility to Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) for executing the Pune International Airport project. Probable sites for this project had earlier included areas around Talegaon Dabhade and Saswad near Pune. The current area under consideration is the area between Chakan and Rajgurunagar, namely around the villages of Chandus and Shiroli both situated at a distance of 40 km (25 mi) from Pune along the Pune - Nashik National highway, National Highway 50. MIDC is conducting surveys and completing other formalities to get the required permissions to start executing the project. The new Pune International Airport would act as a gateway of Pune and western Maharashtra to the rest of the world, and agricultural and floricultural exports are expected to get a faster movement to its international markets on the completion of this project.
This airport will spread over 24,28 hectares (6,000 acres), so it will be the largest airport in India after completion. This airport will have two runways. After constuction of the new airport Pune will get more international flights.
There are pre-paid taxicab services to and from airport along with pre-paid auto rickshaws. There is a coach service to various key locations in Pune and private car rental services are also available. There is proposal for a metrorail in Pune, then the airport will connect by metro.
Pune International Airport