Pune Airport Resumes Direct Flights to Dubai and Bangkok, Ending Dependence on Mumbai for Many International Travellers
Direct flights from Pune to Dubai and Bangkok have resumed from Pune International Airport, restoring non-stop overseas connectivity for the city’s growing number of business travellers, tourists and students. The return of these routes is expected to reduce travel time and ease the long-standing dependence on Mumbai’s international airport.
Air India Express and IndiGo have started operating direct services between Pune and Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, while direct flights to Dubai International Airport have also resumed. The restored routes offer faster access to two of the most popular international destinations for passengers from Pune and neighbouring districts.
The Pune-Bangkok flight now takes about 4 hours and 15 minutes to 4 hours and 45 minutes, compared to the 8 to 14 hours often required on connecting flights via cities such as Delhi, Bengaluru or Kolkata. The direct Pune-Dubai service takes less than four hours, offering convenient daily options for both business and leisure travellers.
For years, passengers travelling abroad from Pune had to make the journey to Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport to catch most international flights. Early morning departures often meant leaving Pune six to eight hours in advance, with additional expenses on taxis, buses or overnight stays.
The restored international services are expected to save several hours of travel on every trip while reducing transport costs and avoiding congestion on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, particularly during the monsoon season.
The expansion has been made possible by the operationalisation of Terminal 2 at Pune Airport, which has increased the airport’s capacity to handle international passengers. The new terminal includes dedicated immigration counters, customs facilities and upgraded baggage handling systems to support higher passenger volumes.
Passengers can now book direct Pune-Dubai and Pune-Bangkok flights through airline websites and travel booking platforms. Travellers are advised to check their departure terminal before travel and arrive at least three hours before the scheduled departure time to complete international check-in and immigration formalities.
Jayant Mahajan is a writer and contributor at PuneNow, covering the intersection of technology, climate action, and urban governance across Pune. With an extensive background in business management, digital transformation, and academia, Jayant brings real-world insight to local sustainability issues, from civic infrastructure to smart city data ethics. As an educator and founder of the Change Before Climate Change mission, he focuses on how Pune’s institutions and businesses can build future-ready, sustainable systems. Through his columns, Jayant bridges policy, technology, and practical action to help Punekars navigate a rapidly changing urban climate.
