June 30,2025: Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, on Sunday announced that Pune will soon have direct flights to Europe, following the long-awaited expansion of the city’s airport runway. The development is expected to significantly boost the city’s international connectivity, catering to growing demands from the business, IT, and tourism sectors.
Addressing a public event in Pune, Mohol said, “The work on the Pune airport runway expansion has officially started. Once completed, this will enable the operation of wide-body aircraft and facilitate direct long-haul flights to Europe and other international destinations.”
The Pune airport, despite serving a large population and being a key economic hub, has so far been limited to short- and medium-haul flights due to runway constraints. The current runway, which spans approximately 2,535 meters, is insufficient for larger aircraft used on long-distance international routes. The planned extension to over 3,200 meters will allow the airport to handle wide-body jets like Boeing 777 and Airbus A330.
“This has been a long-standing demand from the people of Pune, especially the business community and the IT sector. The extended runway will transform Pune’s aviation potential,” Mohol added.
The project is being executed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) in collaboration with the Indian Air Force, which currently manages the airfield. Officials said that coordination challenges between civilian and defense authorities are being resolved to expedite the construction.
The runway extension is part of a broader civil aviation infrastructure development plan in Maharashtra, with investments exceeding ₹10,000 crore. Alongside the runway work, a new integrated terminal building at Pune Airport is also nearing completion. The terminal is expected to handle up to 20 million passengers annually and will include advanced facilities to enhance passenger experience.
The announcement has been welcomed by business leaders and travel industry stakeholders in the region. Pune, a major hub for IT, manufacturing, education, and healthcare, has witnessed rising demand for direct international connectivity, particularly to European countries.
Experts believe that direct flights to Europe will not only benefit international travelers but also boost economic activity by improving cargo movement, reducing travel times, and enhancing Pune’s appeal to global investors and tourists.
Currently, international travelers from Pune must transit through Mumbai or Delhi for flights to Europe and beyond. The new connectivity is expected to reduce this dependency, offering more convenience and efficiency to flyers.
With the runway work now underway and infrastructure upgrades progressing rapidly, officials are optimistic that Pune’s first direct flights to Europe could become operational in the near future.
