Airport name: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport
ICAO code: VAPO
IATA Code: PNQ
City Name: Pune
Country: India
Fire Category: VII
Airport Operating Hours of VAPO airport / PNQ airport: 0231-1429 UTC Daily
Curfew and Restrictions of VAPO airport / PNQ airport: Airfield will remain closed for maintenance between 0530 UTC-0930 UTC on every 2nd and 4th Saturdays. VAPO is defence airfield and temporary airport restrictions are in place depending on military exercise. It is always recommended to check GA restriction and curfew before you operate into VAPO airport.
CIQ Hours of VAPO airport / PNQ airport: 0231-1429 UTC Daily
Slots/PPR requirements at VAPO airport / PNQ airport: Airport slots are required when you operate in VAPO airport. Slots are requested via e-mail / fax from the airport slot coordinator. This is generally done by the agent or handler on the behalf of operator. VAPO airport is the airport with slot validity of (+) 45 (-) 15 minutes.
Parking Availability at VAPO airport / PNQ airport: There is paucity of parking space at VAPO airport and parking is available with prior approval only. VAPO airport implement temporary parking restrictions from time to time. It’s always recommended to confirm all parking arrangements well in advance. All parking stands at VAPO airport need aircraft to be pushed back before departure using tow bar and push truck.
Port of entry/exit VAPO airport / PNQ airport: Yes, VAPO airport is port of entry/exit.
Crew visa requirements for GA flights in India: All general aviation crew arriving in India must carry with them a valid BUSINESS VISA issued by the Indian Embassy / Consulate or an E-BUSINESS VISA available online. If time permitting, it is recommended that they carry with them a valid Business Visa issued by the Indian Embassy/Consulate.
For applying the Business Visa, some Embassies ask for an invitation/sponsorship letter which VVIP Flight will gladly provide.
Pax visa requirements for GA flights in India: All Pax must arrive with valid Indian visa or Indian e-visa (available online).
E-visa acceptable VAPO airport / PNQ airport: Yes E-visa facility is available in VAPO airport. E-visa is acceptable at VAPO Airport.
Ground Handler at VAPO airport / PNQ airport: VVIP Flight (ops@vvipflight.com) can assist you with your Landing permits, Defense clearance, Ground handling, slots, parking, CIQ coordination, Catering coordination, Aviation Fuel coordination, Ground transportation arrangements, flight dispatch, weather services, hotel arrangements and other GA flight services at VAPO airport / PNQ airport
VAPO Landing Permit Notice Period: It takes 3-4 weeks to obtain landing permit for defence airports. For foreign registered aircraft operating into defence airfield. Air Operations Routine (AOR number) is required in addition to Civil Air Office clearance. AOR is generally applied and coordinated by Handler or Agent on behalf of operator.
Detail required applying for VAPO landing permit: Operator Name, Acft Registration, Acft Call Sign, Type of Aircraft, Schedule, ATS route to be flown, Crew Passport details such as Name, passport number, date of issue, date of expiry, Nationality, Date of Birth etc. Pax Passport details such as Name, passport number, date of issue, date of expiry, Nationality, Date of Birth etc.
Air Operations Routine (AOR number) : All Foreign Registered Aircraft operating flight into Military Airport (Naval or Air force) has to obtain AOR clearance for operating to/from defence aerodromes. AOR clearance will be issued by Director of Air Intelligence, Air Headquarter (Vayu Bhavan) / Naval HQ in coordination with MoD. Once AOR is obtained Civil Air Office issues landing permit to operate into defence airport. This is generally taken by your handler or agent in India.
Validity of AOR: Validity of AOR may vary. But normally it is (+) (-) 2hours. For delay beyond 2 hours on arrival / departure at Military airport revised AOR clearance is required. This is generally taken by your handler or agent in India.
GA Lounge/Terminal at VAPO airport / PNQ Airport: General aviation lounge is not available at VAPO airport.
Tow Bar requirements at VAPO airport / PNQ airport: All parking stands at VAPO airport are self power in and pushed back parking stands. It is mandatory regulation to carry tow bar on board the aircraft in India, however tow bar of some of the business aircrafts are available with the handler at VAPO airport. It is advised to check tow bar availability before the flight operation.
Caterer at VAPO /PNQ airport: It is recommended to bring catering from 5 star hotels as there is no good caterer available at the airport. We can also assist in arranging catering at VAPO airport from nearby 5 star hotels on request.
Jet Fuel at VAPO / PNQ airport: Fuel facility is available during airport watch hours at VAPO airport.
Hotel at VAPO airport: JW Marriott Hotel, Conrad Pune and Hyatt Regency are some good hotel options available in the city.
If you have any questions about this article or would like assistance planning your next trip to India, contact us ops@vvipflight.com or (OPS)- (+91)-8010686868.
Note: Regulations, watch hours, NOTAM, Fire category or any other information given in above article are subject to change from time to time, for most latest information please feel free to contact us.
You can also read our blog on other famous Defense Airports in India for General Aviation Flights : VIJO airport (Jodhpur Airport) , VEAB airport (Allahabad Airport), VABJ airport (Bhuj Airport), VEGK airport ( Gorakhpur airport), VEJT airport (Jorhat Airport), VIJR airport (Jaisalmer Airport) , VICG airport (Chandigarh Airport), VIGR airport (Gwalior Airport), VAJM airport (Jamnagar Airport), VOVZ airport (Visakhapatnam Airport), VOGO airport (Goa Airport), VIAG airport (Agra Airport), VOYK airport ( Yelahanka Air Force Station), VOPB airport (Port Blair Airport), VAOZ airport (Ozar Airport), VIDX Airport (Hindon Airport).
