Pune airport secures first spot in 2 quarters among 16 Indian flight hubs in ACI-ASQ survey 2025

Pune: The city airport has secured first place in both Q3 and Q4 results of the Airports Council International-Airport Service Quality (ACI-ASQ) survey of 2025 among Indian airports, under the category of ‘best airport by size' and the sub-category of ‘airport with annual passenger traffic of 5-15 million passengers in Asia Pacific region'. Globally, under the same category, Pune airport clinched 58th position in Q4 against 56th position secured in Q3. The airport was rated better, in terms of services offered for flyers, than a total of 16 Indian airports, including Goa, Chennai, Kolkata, etc. The survey is based on passengers' feedback on a total of 31 parameters. Pune airport director Santosh Dhoke, while hailing all stakeholders for the ranking, said that this year will see more improvements. "The new departure area and security hold area (SHA) will be operationalised by April-May 2026. The new SHA will consist of all needed facilities for passengers," the official said. With the airport expected to attain the no. 1 rank in the overall survey result of 2025, minister of state for civil aviation Murlidhar Mohol said, "The result reflects our commitment to deliver world class passenger services at Pune airport." In the Q1 survey, the airport was in fifth place among Indian airports and 59th globally; Q2 results saw Pune jumping to the second position in India and 57th position globally. The Q3 and Q4 results saw the airport attaining the top position in the country and 56th and 58th position globally. In the fourth quarter, the airport in fact slipped by two places globally. Aviation analyst and expert Dhairyashil Vandekar highlighted the this and said, "It is commendable, even though its ranking slipped to 58. What is worrying from a passenger point of view is the decline in 18 key passenger satisfaction parameters in Q4 as compared to Q3. Critical areas showing deterioration include courtesy and helpfulness of staff at check-in, security screening, general airport areas and dining facilities, cleanliness of washrooms, availability of seating in gate areas, flight information, wait time at security screening, value for money at restaurants and cafés, and ambience. These trends are concerning and require urgent remedial action." "Under the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA) regulatory framework, ASQ performance metrics play a significant role in justifying an increase in airport charges like User Development Fee (UDF), aircraft parking, etc. for the subsequent control period, which is expected to begin from April 1 for Pune airport. Such a hike, if asked by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and approved by AERA, will inevitably be passed on to passengers by airlines and operators, further burdening passengers at a time when affordability remains a key concern," said Vandekar. Flyers also said issues persist in travel. Smitha D, who was travelling via the airport on Dec 12, said, "I had to board an IndiGo flight from gate no. 9 but was surprised to find that there were very few chairs. Passengers were forced to sit on the ground. That was a big let-down and not expected from the Pune facility." Regular flyer Rahul Jain said the airport authorities needed to stop the chest-thumping. "The cab issue remains more or less the same. It is a struggle getting to the AeroMall from the arrival area. Getting out of the airport after arrival is a major trouble considering the frequent congestion. Also, in the late evening hours, flight delays often lead to too much crowding. Also, there is this low cost UDAN Yatri Cafe but it is located on the ground floor, resulting in flyers who have already checked in and in the SHA not being able to visit it to grab a pocket-friendly bite," he told TOI.