Pune Airport to Provide Immigration Facilities for International Flights Originating From Other Cities
Passengers flying from Pune to overseas destinations via Delhi or other major airports may soon complete their immigration formalities at Pune Airport itself, removing one of the biggest hassles during connecting journeys.
The proposed facility is part of the Centre’s plan to expand the hub-and-spoke international transit model, allowing passengers to finish immigration and other departure formalities at their originating airport before boarding a domestic flight to an international hub.
How the New Immigration System Will Work
Once the facility becomes operational, travellers flying on an itinerary such as Pune → Delhi → Tokyo will undergo immigration clearance at Pune Airport.
After reaching Delhi, passengers will proceed directly to their international departure gate without standing in immigration queues again. Their domestic flight from Pune will effectively function as the first leg of an international journey.
This is expected to reduce transit time, improve passenger convenience and make international connections smoother.
What Changes for Travellers
The biggest benefit will be for passengers travelling to destinations that currently require a domestic connection before an international flight.
Instead of completing immigration at crowded hub airports, travellers can finish the process before leaving Pune.
Expected benefits include:
- Faster international transfers
- Reduced waiting time during transit
- Less congestion at major hub airports
- Better passenger experience
- More seamless international journeys from Pune
Based on the Hub-and-Spoke Aviation Model
The proposal follows the successful launch of the hub-and-spoke model at Amritsar Airport.
Under that system, passengers complete check-in, baggage handling, customs and immigration at Amritsar before flying to Delhi, where they board their international flight without repeating the formalities.
The government is now looking to extend similar benefits to more cities, including Pune.
A Big Boost for Pune’s International Connectivity
Although Pune handles a growing number of international passengers every year, direct overseas connectivity remains limited.
Most travellers still connect through Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru or Hyderabad before boarding long-haul international flights.
Allowing immigration clearance in Pune would remove one of the major inconveniences faced by these passengers and strengthen the city’s position as an important aviation centre in western India.
Different from Fast Track Immigration
The proposed facility should not be confused with the Fast Track Immigration-Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP).
FTI-TTP is designed to speed up immigration for registered, pre-verified passengers through automated e-gates.
The new proposal is aimed at changing where immigration takes place for connecting international passengers, allowing it to be completed at Pune instead of the connecting airport.
What Happens Next?
The proposal is expected to be implemented after operational approvals, coordination between airport authorities, immigration officials and airlines, and the required infrastructure arrangements.
Once introduced, Pune passengers flying abroad via domestic hubs could enjoy a much faster and more convenient travel experience, with immigration completed before they even leave the city.
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.
