New Security Hold Area at Lohegaon Airport Set for March 2026

The Lohegaon Airport in Pune is set to enhance its facilities with a new security hold area (SHA), expected to be operational by March 2026. According to airport director Santosh Dhoke, this development aims to accommodate a projected increase in daily passenger traffic, particularly during the upcoming festive season.

Dhoke noted that the new SHA will help streamline flight operations and improve passenger management as the airport anticipates a 15% rise in footfall. “The civil, electrical, and other associated works are targeted for completion by December 31. Following this, necessary testing and regulatory clearances will be undertaken,” he explained. The expansion will see the total area of the new terminal increase by 4,000 square metres, building on the existing 52,000 square metres of space.

Expanding Capacity to Meet Growing Demand

The new terminal, which began operations in June 2024, has already proven capable of handling increased traffic, serving over 10 million passengers in its first year. The existing infrastructure has provided satisfactory service during the last festive season, with no significant issues reported despite the expected surge in passenger numbers.

The upcoming SHA will introduce several enhancements, including 14 new check-in counters, three additional X-ray baggage inspection systems for security screening, and two remote boarding gates. These upgrades are designed to alleviate congestion and improve overall efficiency, especially during peak travel times.

With these enhancements, the annual handling capacity of the terminal will increase from 9 million passengers to 10.5 million passengers. Currently, the airport experiences an average daily passenger traffic of around 24,000, and officials are optimistic about meeting the demands of the festive seasons, particularly during Diwali.

Strategic Developments and Operational Improvements

In a recent statement, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol indicated that the defence authorities are expected to transfer 13 acres of land to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) by October. This land will be utilized for constructing five new parking bays and three remote bays to further enhance the airport’s operational capacity.

At present, the airport facilitates around 200 flight movements daily, with an additional 15 new slots recently allocated to airlines for the festive season and winter schedule. Regular flyers, like IT professional Prathav Sharan, have noted improvements at the airport compared to the older terminal. “Crowding happens infrequently now, but the main issue is the cab pick-up facility at the AeroMall,” he remarked, highlighting an area that still requires attention.

As Lohegaon Airport prepares for these significant upgrades, stakeholders are optimistic that the new SHA will enhance the travel experience for millions of passengers while facilitating smoother airport operations during high-traffic periods.