Pune News | Trial run of new terminal at Pune airport

On Aug 17, 2023

Pune : NpNews24 Online – Pune News | The new terminal at the Lohegaon airport is ready. Facilities at the new terminal are being tested. The terminal is likely to be opened in September. This will increase the number of aircrafts and flights at the city airport. Consequently, the number of air passengers will also go up. (Pune News)

The space at the existing terminal is falling short, which was putting restrictions on increasing air services. During peak season, the number of passengers goes up, which puts stress on the facilities from security check-in to the number of flights.

The Airport Authority of India had realised this and planned to expand the city airport. Thus the construction of a new terminal was started. Around Rs 525 crore has been spent to build the new terminal, where air travellers will get facilities of international standards. The facilities are being tested currently, which will last for a month. PM Narendra Modi may inaugurate the new terminal in September.

Three aerobridges to connect the new terminal

The new terminal of the airport is adjacent to the old one. Three aerobridges are being built to connect both the terminals. To facilitate a smooth movement of passengers from one terminal to another and avoid rush, these three aerobridges will be useful. International flights will take off from the new terminal. In case of a rush at the domestic terminal, domestic flights will also take from the new terminal.

The following facilities are being tested at the new terminal

*Escalators

*Lifts

*Aerobridges

*Various displays

*In-line baggage screening system

*Check-in counters

*Baggage belts

The new terminal

*Area: Around 60,000 sq ft

*Passenger capacity: 1.20 crore per year

*Aerobridges: 05

*Total cost: Rs 525 crore

The new terminal is ready and the facilities are being tested. The new terminal is likely to be inaugurated in September. However, the date of inauguration has not been declared yet.

Facilities for air passengers

*Sensors will be used to control crowds

*A new in-line baggage system will save check in time. This will avoid long queues. One will not have to put the luggage for X-ray machine scanning. The new machine will do this job. This will save their time

*A commercial lounge has been set up for passengers to take rest, besides another lounge

*Skylights will be used to reduce the carbon footprint

*A separate play area for children

*A restaurant

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