A pleasant surprise awaited those who flew out of the city on Monday as they found themselves being asked to go through the new, spacious departure terminal at the Lohegaon Airport. The new terminal was slated to be functional from May 15 but was made operational from Monday, four days ahead of schedule.

“I have made the new departure terminal fully operational from today. All passengers will now be routed through the new lounge, which is much bigger and more convenient. We will now be able to accommodate a significantly larger number of outgoing passengers,” said J P Mathur, officiating director, Airports Authority of India, Pune.

“I had gone to see off my daughter to Bangalore and came to know about the new terminal from a security man. I was advising my daughter to go to the regular check-in counter when the security guard overheard and directed us to the new terminal,” said V J Matthen, a central government officer.

Asked if there was any particular reason for opening the terminal four days ahead of schedule, Mathur said, “Since the departure wing was ready, I wanted to make it operational at the earliest. Further, I want to ensure that the modification of the main terminal building and the existing departure and arrival lounges in accordance with the new structures is taken up as soon as possible, immediately after the construction of the new arrival terminal is completed. Even this is expected to be ready by June-end or by the first week of July.”

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