Pune Airport has now fully activated all ten aerobridges at its new terminal, greatly improving the convenience and safety of air travelers. This development eliminates the need for passengers to walk from the aircraft's parking bays to the terminal, a move that is expected to significantly reduce the risk of accidents on the airport’s busy airside.
Until recently, airlines frequently avoided using the aerobridges due to additional rental costs, opting instead to have passengers disembark and walk across the tarmac to the terminal building.
Current Situation at Pune Airport:
10 - Total Aerobridges
58 - Departures from New Terminal
58 - Landings at New Terminal
37 - Departures from Old Terminal
37 - Landings at Old Terminal
38000 - Daily Passenger Traffic (Combined Terminals)
The new mandate, enforced by the airport authorities, requires all airlines operating from Pune Airport to utilize the aerobridges for every flight. The airport is equipped with ten aerobridges, with five connected to the newly constructed terminal and the remaining five serving the old terminal.
This infrastructure change ensures that passengers now have seamless access from the aircraft directly into the terminal building.
The airport’s airside is a bustling environment with a high volume of vehicle traffic, including baggage tractors, push-back tugs, cargo trolleys, and other service vehicles that operate around the clock.
In recent months, the airside witnessed two incidents involving ground staff, highlighting the need for stricter safety measures. The mandatory use of aerobridges not only addresses these safety concerns but also streamlines the boarding and deboarding process, further enhancing the overall passenger experience.
Previously, the practice of disembarking passengers onto the tarmac and guiding them through the busy airside to the terminal raised significant safety concerns.
Given the pressure on ground staff to complete tasks swiftly, vehicles were often operated at high speeds in restricted areas, heightening the risk of collisions with pedestrians.
The airport's daily passenger traffic averages around 38,000, with 58 daily departures and 58 landings managed at the new terminal, while the old terminal handles 37 departures and 37 landings.
With all aerobridges now operational, the reliance on buses for transferring passengers from the parking bays to the terminal has also been eliminated, further enhancing safety protocols.
