Pune Airport has introduced a new service to make travel more comfortable for senior citizens and pregnant women, offering convenient taxi access near the arrival gate of the new terminal.
This facility, established by the airport administration through a newly set up ‘May I Help Desk,’ aims to alleviate the discomfort faced by these travelers who previously had to walk a considerable distance to access the taxi stand at Aeromall.
Initially, Pune Airport restricted direct taxi access to the terminal in an effort to reduce congestion, relocating taxis and rickshaws to the third-floor parking at Aeromall.
Battery-operated vehicles and electric buses were provided to shuttle passengers from the terminal to Aeromall. Despite this provision, many senior citizens and pregnant women continued to experience challenges due to the walking distance.
The airport administration has responded by creating a designated support system with the ‘May I Help Desk,’ which facilitates immediate taxi access for these travelers.
Santosh Dhoke, Director of Pune Airport, commented, “Due to congestion, taxi access to the new terminal area is limited; however, we have made exceptions for senior citizens and pregnant women, allowing them to use taxis arranged through our ‘May I Help Desk’.
Only these designated taxis can enter the terminal zone, ensuring a safe and comfortable journey for our passengers.”
With the Diwali festival approaching, Pune Airport is preparing for an expected surge in passenger numbers, taking proactive measures to streamline operations and reduce waiting times.
On a regular day, both terminals at Pune Airport handle between 35,000 to 38,000 passengers. During Diwali, this number typically swells by an additional 3,000 to 4,000 travelers, causing strain on airport resources, especially during security checks.
