Why Pune airport’s SHA isn’t ready yet? – What we know

Work on the new security hold area (SHA) at Pune airport is progressing rapidly and is expected to be completed by the end of March, according to senior airport officials overseeing the project.

After construction, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) will inspect the facility. Operations can begin only after regulatory approvals and compliance checks are completed.

The new security hold area is being developed within the old arrival section of the airport, which has already been integrated with the newer terminal building.

With the addition of the SHA, the airport will gain extra departure area, easing congestion and providing passengers with more space and improved facilities.

Officials recalled that the new terminal building, inaugurated in March 2024, became fully operational only by July due to pending approvals and recommended modifications.

In 2025, the airport recorded over 1.08 crore passenger movements compared to 1.02 crore in 2024, reflecting steady growth and increasing pressure on infrastructure.

The new SHA will add 4,000 square metres of space, along with 14 check-in counters, three XBIS security screening machines and two additional boarding gates.

With an expected rise of 10 lakh additional passengers this year, flight movements are likely to increase, making the SHA critical for smoother operations.

Passengers have expressed dissatisfaction over repeated deadline extensions, noting that earlier timelines for completion and regulatory clearance have not been met as promised.

Even after physical completion, commissioning procedures, inspections and regulatory clearances are expected to delay operational launch, pushing the likely start date to around May.