Pune Airport to Add 15 New Flights From May 1; Routes to Bagdogra & Mangalore Added
Pune travellers, mark your calendars. Come May 1, 2026, your airport just got 15 new reasons to fly.
The Pune Airport summer schedule 2026 is set to receive a significant boost with the activation of 15 additional flight slots from May 1, taking the total slot capacity to 235. The expansion, approved under the DGCA summer schedule, brings new routes and increased frequencies to some of the most sought-after domestic destinations.
15 New Slots to Go Live From May 1
The 15 additional slots were granted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) last year but remained unutilised pending infrastructure upgrades. With the new security hold area expected to be completed by May, the airport is now ready to operationalise these slots.
Santosh Dhoke, Pune Airport Director, confirmed the development, stating that the slots will be allocated to interested airlines based on aircraft availability and network planning. Currently, the Pune Airport operates with 216 slots, and the addition will push the total capacity to 235.
“We are committed to enhancing connectivity from Pune. The implementation of the summer schedule 2026 marks an important milestone for us,” Dhoke was quoted as saying in media reports.
New Pune Airport Routes: Bagdogra, Mangalore, Solapur-Tirupati
Travellers can expect new connections to key destinations under the Pune Airport new routes expansion:
- Pune to Bagdogra flight: Air India will operate flights on this route, offering direct connectivity to the gateway of North Bengal and Sikkim.
- Pune to Mangalore flight: Regional carrier Fly91 is set to launch services connecting Pune with the coastal city of Mangaluru.
- Pune to Solapur and Tirupati: Star Air will introduce a new Solapur–Tirupati route via Pune, further strengthening regional connectivity.
These additions expand the Pune Airport domestic network to 37 destinations, covering both metro cities and tier-2/3 towns such as Nanded, Sindhudurg, Jalgaon, and Kishangarh.
Increased Frequencies on Existing Routes
Apart from new routes, airlines are ramping up services on popular sectors:
| Route | Airline | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Pune to Kolkata | SpiceJet | Increased frequency |
| Pune to Varanasi | Akasa Air | Additional flights |
| Pune to Bangalore | Air India Express | More daily departures |
These enhanced schedules are expected to ease seat availability on these high-demand corridors, particularly during peak travel periods.
International Connectivity Retained
Pune Airport continues to offer direct international flights to Dubai, Bangkok, and Abu Dhabi. The winter schedule routes have been retained in the summer schedule 2026, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity for business and leisure travellers.
Infrastructure Ready for Passenger Surge
With the slot expansion, the airport is preparing for increased passenger footfall. The new security hold area (SHA) is expected to be operational by May, enlarging the departure zone and adding more boarding gates. Currently, the airport has 10 aerobridge-equipped gates along with two remote or bus gates for smaller aircraft.
The infrastructure upgrades were a key precondition set by the IAF before granting the additional slots, and airport authorities have been working to meet the deadline.
Political Push Behind Aviation Growth
Pune MP and Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, has been credited for his persistent efforts in pushing aviation infrastructure development in the city. His advocacy has played a role in securing the additional slots and expediting the infrastructure upgrades at the airport.
What This Means for Pune Travellers
The Pune Airport slot expansion from May 1 translates to:
- More flight options to popular destinations
- New direct connections reducing reliance on Mumbai or Bengaluru hubs
- Enhanced regional connectivity to underserved cities
- Improved passenger experience with upgraded infrastructure
As the summer travel season picks up, the additional capacity comes as a welcome move for Pune’s growing base of business and leisure flyers.
Stay tuned for official commencement dates for specific airlines and routes as airlines finalise their schedules in the coming weeks.
