Pune Airport Expansion: New Security Hold Area Likely Operational by May-End to Ease Summer Rush
Travelers flying out of Pune can finally look forward to a more breathable experience as the much-anticipated expansion of the Pune Airport Security Hold Area (SHA) enters its final leg of development.
New Facility to Combat Peak-Hour Congestion
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has confirmed that construction of the new SHA at Lohegaon is in full swing, with a target completion date set for the end of March 2026. However, regular flight operations from this zone are projected to begin only by late May 2026. This timeline accounts for the mandatory safety audits and commissioning clearances required from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).
The expansion is strategically designed to integrate the old arrival zone with the new terminal building, effectively adding 4,000 square metres of passenger processing space.
Key Infrastructure Upgrades at a Glance
To address the growing passenger footprint, which crossed the 1.08 crore mark in 2025, the new SHA will feature:
- 14 Additional Check-in Counters: Reducing wait times during the morning and evening peaks.
- 3 New XBIS Machines: Expediting the security screening process for domestic flyers.
- 2 New Boarding Gates: Allowing for better aircraft rotation and reduced tarmac delays.
Santosh Dhoke, Pune Airport Director, noted that the facility is critical for the 2026 calendar year, during which the airport expects an additional 10 lakh passengers. “The new SHA will be a game-changer in balancing the surge in traffic and ensuring a seamless check-in experience,” Dhoke stated.
Navigating BCAS Approvals and Past Delays
While the infrastructure will be physically ready by March, the “May-end” operational goal is a cautious estimate. Historically, the new terminal building faced a four-month gap between its March 2024 inauguration and its full operational launch in July 2024, primarily due to pending BCAS approvals.
Aviation experts and frequent flyers in Pune have remained vocal about the need for time-bound execution. Local residents and regular travelers have expressed hope that this project avoids the “shifting deadlines” of previous years, especially following the operational meltdowns seen across Indian carriers in late 2025.
Future Outlook: Parking Bays and Runway Extension
The SHA launch is just one piece of the larger Pune Airport expansion news 2026. Efforts are currently underway to secure the 15-acre land transfer from the Indian Air Force (IAF) to the AAI. This land is vital for constructing five additional parking bays and three remote bays, which would resolve the current issue of aircraft having to “hover” or divert when bays are at full capacity.
With MoS for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol pushing for international-standard services and the recent #1 ranking of the airport in the ACI-ASQ survey (for the 5-15 million category), the May-end launch of the SHA is viewed as a pivotal step in maintaining Pune’s status as a premier aviation hub.
