Air-Conditioning Breaksdown at Pune Airport For Four Consecutive Days : Passengers Lose Their Cool Amid Heatwave

Pune, May 23, 2024 – Passengers at Pune International Airport are expressing their frustration as the air-conditioning system in the terminal building has been malfunctioning for four consecutive days amid an ongoing heatwave.

Over the past few days, the breakdown of the air-conditioning system has left both passengers and staff sweltering in high temperatures. The airport authorities have installed some coolers, but passengers are far from satisfied. 

With summer vacations going on, there is a heavy rush of people flying into and out of Pune Airport. 

Many have taken to social media to vent their frustration and question the delay in operationalizing the new terminal building, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2024 but is still awaiting regulatory approval to start flight operations.

“Why aren’t the ACs functioning at Pune Airport? Both staff and passengers are sweltering in this heat… this is unacceptable,” wrote A Lakshmi, a passenger, on X (formerly Twitter). 

Another passenger, Prakash, commented, “No air-conditioners working at Pune Airport in this heat. Probably the first airport I have seen in India using desert coolers, which were completely ineffective.”

Passengers have also questioned the delay in the new terminal building’s operationalisation. “The new terminal building has been ready for six months. It was inaugurated over two months ago. What’s delaying its operationalisation?” Prakash wondered.

A senior official from Pune Airport explained that the main chilling plant of the centralised air-conditioning system developed a major fault on Sunday, May 19. “The main chilling plant has developed a major fault. We have contacted the Kirloskar Chillers and their team is working on it,” he said. Despite two other operational chillers, their lower capacity means they can only lower the indoor temperature to 25-26 degrees Celsius, slightly higher than the desired level during summer.

“People who walk in from outside feel comfortable if the indoor temperature is in the range of 21 to 22 degrees Celsius. The functional chillers, due to their low capacity, can lower the temperature only to 25-26 degrees Celsius. Hence, the visitors may feel some discomfort. We have employed some extra standing coolers and are working to resolve the AC issue as soon as possible. It should be resolved today,” the official added.

The delay in operationalising the new terminal building, which boasts better facilities and higher capacity, has added to the frustration among Pune flyers. The current terminal building is handling passengers beyond its capacity, exacerbating the discomfort caused by the air-conditioning breakdown.

Passengers are eagerly awaiting the resolution of the AC issue and the commencement of operations at the new terminal to alleviate the current overcrowding and discomfort.

Joyville