Are you tired of limited flight options when traveling from Pune airport? Well, you’re not alone. The airport authorities have recently urged airlines to either use their allocated slots fully or give them up. Why, you ask? Because out of the 216 slots available, 14 are currently sitting unused, affecting flight frequency and passenger convenience.
It seems that airlines are not operating flights on their designated slots consistently, especially during off-peak hours. This lack of regular flight movements is causing a fluctuation in the total number of daily flight movements, which currently ranges between 168 and 194.
But why is full slot utilisation so important? Slots are basically permission slips that allow airlines to land and take off at specific times. By not using these slots efficiently, the airport is missing out on the opportunity to accommodate more flights and provide passengers with greater travel options.
The airport authorities are now urging airlines to operate flights on their slots daily to ensure consistency and maximise airport capacity. Failure to do so could lead to fewer flight options for passengers and potentially drive up airfares on popular routes.
Aviation expert Deepak Shastri pointed out that unused or underutilised slots can have a negative impact on both airlines and airports. It can reduce overall capacity, affect ticket prices, and inconvenience passengers. In fact, airport operators have the right to reclaim or cancel slots if they are not being used effectively.
So, what do the airlines have to say about this? Well, Air India Express mentioned that they operate 75 weekly flights from Pune, connecting to nine domestic destinations and offering one-stop connectivity to 20 domestic and nine international destinations. However, other major airlines have yet to respond to the authorities’ call for better slot utilisation.
In the end, the goal is to optimize the airport’s potential and improve flight availability for the growing number of air travelers in Pune. As the city continues to expand as a major aviation hub, ensuring the optimal use of slots is crucial for enhancing operational efficiency and passenger experience.
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