Pune Airport is set to expand its air connectivity this May, with 15 additional flight slots approved by the Indian Air Force, taking the airport’s total slot count from 220 to 235. The new slots will facilitate the introduction of fresh routes connecting Pune to Tirupati (via Solapur), Mangaluru, and Bagdogra.
“Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol had requested the Indian Air Force to allow 15 additional slots, which had been agreed, and these new flight schedules would be part of these daytime slots. This is expected to boost tourism, trade, and regional integration,” said airport director Santosh Dhoke.
Tirupati via Solapur
One of the most important additions is a multi-leg route linking Pune to Tirupati through Solapur, creating two new sectors: Tirupati-Solapur-Pune and Pune-Solapur-Tirupati. Star Air will operate flight S5 331/332 on this route effective May 1.
On the Solapur-Pune leg, flights will arrive in Pune at 3:20 pm and depart back to Solapur at 4:00 pm six days a week except Saturday. While the Saturday service will arrive at 4:10 pm in Pune and depart at 4:40 pm. Timings for the Solapur-Tirupati leg are yet to be announced.
Mangaluru
FLY 91 will launch flight IC 1609/1610 connecting Mangaluru and Pune effective May 1. The flight from Mangaluru arrives in Pune at 6:40 pm and departs from Pune back to Mangaluru at 7:05 pm. The service will operate all seven days of the week.
Bagdogra
Air India will operate flight AI 4171/4172 between Bagdogra (IXB) and Pune effective May 1. The inbound flight arrives in Pune at 12:25 pm and departs at 1:15 pm, Monday through Sunday.
Dhoke highlighted the strategic importance of Bagdogra in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal. “Bagdogra is strategically important as it serves as a gateway to the Northeast. Direct connectivity from Pune will significantly ease travel to these areas,” he said.
13/04/2026 Shubham Kurale/Indian Express
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