Pune Airport Records Highest-Ever Single-Day Traffic with 216 Flight Movements and Over 33,000 Passengers
Pune Airport has recorded its highest-ever single-day traffic on Sunday, August 02, 2026, handling 216 flight movements, comprising 108 arrivals and 108 departures, along with more than 33,000 passengers in a single day. The new record surpasses the previous high of 212 aircraft movements achieved on June 1, 2025, showcasing the growing demand for air travel to and from the city.
This feat was achieved after additional flight slots were approved earlier this year following sustained efforts by Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol in coordination with the Indian Air Force (IAF). The increased slot availability has enabled airlines to expand services while supporting the city’s rising passenger demand.
Officials said Pune’s rapid growth across the education, information technology, pharmaceutical and automobile sectors has led to a steady increase in both business and leisure travel. The airport has also witnessed growing demand for international services, with airlines expanding connectivity to destinations including Dubai and Bangkok.
Passenger handling capacity has also improved with the commissioning of the New Integrated Terminal Building. The airport’s annual passenger capacity has increased from 7.7 million passengers per annum to 10.5 million, while the number of Passenger Boarding Bridges has doubled from five to ten. Additional land acquired from the IAF-BSO Yard is also being developed to create more aircraft parking stands.
The process to increase flight capacity began on March 19, 2025, when Mohol wrote to Air Headquarters seeking a review of flight slot restrictions. At the time, civil operations were limited by hourly movement caps, particularly during peak periods. The proposal sought a more even distribution of flights through the day, higher peak-hour limits and permission for overnight parking of civil aircraft.
On May 30, 2025, Air Headquarters approved an increase in peak-hour slots to 15 aircraft movements per hour, allowing up to 131 movements during prime operating hours. The total number of daily civil flight slots was raised from 220 to 235. However, the IAF retained military block timings and scheduled runway maintenance windows, while declining permission for overnight civil aircraft parking on the Air Force apron.
Airport operations remained smooth despite the record passenger traffic. Officials said careful allocation of aircraft parking bays ensured that no aircraft had to perform a go-around because of bay unavailability. Ground movement was managed through coordinated planning, and the IAF has continued to emphasise faster implementation of the Apron Management Service to reduce congestion on the airport apron.
Mohol said the record demonstrates the city’s growing aviation demand and the benefits of expanding operational capacity. He added that the focus will now be on fully utilising the newly approved slots to increase both domestic and international connectivity, supporting industry, trade, tourism and employment across the Pune region.
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.
