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In July 2008, [[Lufthansa]]'s inaugural flight from Frankfurt arrived in Pune, linking the airport with Europe for the first time. The direct service was operated by [[PrivatAir]] and catered to the many automotive, biotechnology and other companies that had operations in the city.<ref>{{cite news | title=Lufthansa commences Pune-Frankfurt direct service | work=United News of India | date=2008-07-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title=2 Casualties Don't Deter All-Business-Class Rivalry | work=The New York Times | date=2008-04-29 | id={{ProQuest|2222262186}}}}</ref> PrivatAir flew the route with a long-range version of an Airbus A319 that only had business-class seats; the Pune airport's short runway meant that Lufthansa could not use a larger jet with an economy-class cabin.<ref>{{cite press release | url=http://www.indiaprwire.com/pressrelease/aviation/200804218950.htm | title=Lufthansa introduces non-stop service between Pune-Frankfurt | publisher=Lufthansa | date=2008-04-21 | accessdate=27 August 2023 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080504121949/http://www.indiaprwire.com/pressrelease/aviation/200804218950.htm | archivedate=2008-05-04}}</ref><ref name="ie708">{{cite news | url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/lufthansa-s-first--all-business--flight/330629/ | title=Lufthansa's first 'all business' flight | work=The Indian Express | date=2008-07-02 | accessdate=27 August 2023 | author=Kelkar, Siddharth}}</ref> PrivatAir also had to reduce the seating capacity so that the aircraft could carry enough fuel for the long-haul flight.<ref name="ie708" />
A {{INR}} 100 crore airport modernisation plan was launched in preparation for the [[Commonwealth Youth Games]] hosted by Pune. In August 2008, AAI completed the construction of two new terminal extensions for international passenger departures and arrivals, measuring nearly {{cvt|12,000|sqm}} on either side of the {{cvt|6,500|sqm}} old main terminal building, which was inadequate for the increase in passengers and flight operations. The terminal extensions have helped ease the peak-time pressure of air passengers. Facilities developed on the air side include a new parallel taxi track and an apron expanded to accommodate eight [[Airbus A320]] or [[Boeing 737]] aircraft.<ref name="ti1011">{{cite news|title=Pune airport braces for swanky look AAI to spend Rs 20 cr |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-19/pune/30297378_1_terminal-building-lohegaon-airport-airport-security |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104015821/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-19/pune/30297378_1_terminal-building-lohegaon-airport-airport-security |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 January 2013 |date= 19 October 2011|work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=1 February 2012}}</ref> In 2010, Lufthansa introduced economy class on the Frankfurt route; due to the [[Great Recession|recession]], companies preferred to book economy-class tickets for their employees.<ref>{{cite news | title=Lufthansa to offer economy class on Pune-Frankfurt flight | work=The Hindu BusinessLine | date=2010-01-07}}</ref>
Two [[aerobridges]] were commissioned in 2011. New conveyor belts and passenger facilities including a modern spa were also commissioned.<ref name="ti1011" /> An [[Instrument Landing System]] (ILS) has been proposed to ensure smooth takeoffs and landings even in deteriorated weather conditions.<ref>{{cite news|title=Indian Air Force projects MAFI, GAGAN to benefit Pune airport |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/indian-air-force-projects-mafi-gagan-to-benefit-pune-airport/778566/0|work=[[Indian Express]] |date= 20 April 2011|access-date=1 February 2012}}</ref> All the offices of the AAI and the Central Industrial Security Force will move to the new administrative block, creating more space in the terminal building. The building will also house a VIP lounge with independent access to the airport terminal building. The airport power sub-station near the entrance gate will also be shifted to the new building
Lufthansa stopped flying to Frankfurt in June 2018, as it had suspended its [[wet-lease|wet-lease arrangement]] with PrivatAir.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/lufthansa-grounds-flight-to-frankfurt-till-october/articleshow/65095484.cms | title=Lufthansa grounds flight to Frankfurt till October | work=The Times of India | date=2018-07-22 | accessdate=27 August 2023 | author=Sengupta, Joy}}</ref> Five months later, Lufthansa resumed the link using its own plane. The flights made a technical stop in Baku.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/280692/lufthansa-adjusts-pune-service-in-w18/ | title=Lufthansa adjusts Pune service in W18 | work=Routesonline | date=2018-09-26 | accessdate=27 August 2023 | author=Liu, Jim | archivedate=2018-09-26 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926180419/https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/280692/lufthansa-adjusts-pune-service-in-w18/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/german-firms-businessmen-rue-lufthansa-flight-suspension/articleshow/70369836.cms | title=German firms & businessmen rue Lufthansa flight suspension | work=The Times of India | date=2019-07-25 | accessdate=27 August 2023 | author=Sengupta, Joy}}</ref> Afterward, the carrier reached a new agreement with PrivatAir whereby the latter would take over the route in February 2019. PrivatAir went bankrupt in December 2018, however. As a result, the last Lufthansa flight departed Pune in January 2019.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/lufthansa-to-suspend-flight-to-frankfurt-from-feb-1/articleshow/67152618.cms | title=Lufthansa to suspend flight to Frankfurt from Feb 1 | work=The Times of India | date=2018-12-19 | accessdate=27 August 2023 | author=Sengupta, Joy}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/flight-to-frankfurt-hits-air-pocket/articleshow/66993557.cms | title=Flight to Frankfurt hits air pocket | work=The Times of India | date=2018-12-08 | accessdate=27 August 2023 | author=Sengupta, Joy}}</ref>
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===Cargo terminal===
There is a proposal
===Airport expansion===
A second terminal has been built on the eastern side of the current airport terminal. It covers an area of about {{cvt|52000|sqm}}, which is twice the size of the current terminal
===Proposal for a new international airport===
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Due to the limited expansion options available, the airport will not be able to cope with the growing demand for air traffic into Pune. Hence, a [[greenfield project|greenfield]] airport for the Pune metropolitan region has been proposed. The [[Government of Maharashtra]] has entrusted the responsibility to [[Maharashtra Airport Development Company]] (MADC) for executing the Pune International Airport project.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/new-airport-for-pune/158444/|title=New airport for Pune|author=Our Corporate Bureau|newspaper=Business Standard India |date=10 August 2004|access-date=14 August 2015}}</ref> Probable sites for this project had earlier included areas around [[Talegaon Dabhade]] and [[Saswad]] near Pune. An area between [[Chakan, Maharashtra|Chakan]] and [[Rajgurunagar]], around the villages of Chandus and [[Shiroli]] was under consideration.
However, due to land acquisition issues, a new site has been proposed. This site is not very distant from the city but is
In August 2020, [[Deputy Chief Minister|deputy chief minister]] [[Ajit Pawar]] told the Pune district administration to check the feasibility of developing the new Pune International Airport at an alternative site proposed by Purandar MLA Sanjay Jagtap. The MLA had proposed land acquisition at Pandeshwar, Rise, and Pise villages, instead of the seven villages in Purandar taluka which have opposed land acquisition since the project was announced in October 2016. Total land acquisition cost is expected to be ₹ 4000 crore for the existing site. If the new site gets approved, land acquisition
Senior officials of the Maharashtra Airport Development Company Limited (MADC) have said that shifting the site of the Purandar Airport will lead to a delay of more than two years in getting fresh approvals
==Access==
Pre-paid [[taxicab]] and [[auto rickshaw]] services to and from the airport are available. [[Coach (vehicle)|Coach]] services to various key locations in Pune and private car rental services are also available. [[Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited|PMPML]] also operates airport shuttle to and from the city.{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}}
==See also==
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