As the Diwali holiday season brings a surge in travel, Pune Airport’s ‘Digi Yatra’ initiative, designed to streamline passenger checks and reduce waiting times, faces challenges due to non-integration with three airlines—AirAsia, Star Air, and Alliance Air. Passengers of these carriers are experiencing queues from terminal entry to various checks, causing inconvenience during the bustling festival season.
The ‘Digi Yatra’ service, an app-based facility introduced by the Pune Airport Authority, started on March 31, 2023, following a year-long trial. The service allows passengers to access boarding passes and essential documents directly through the app, eliminating the need for physical verification. The app’s facial recognition feature acts as a digital “boarding pass,” aiming to enhance efficiency.
Despite successful integration with some airlines operating from Pune Airport, AirAsia, Star Air, and Alliance Air have yet to respond, leading passengers of these airlines to undergo traditional check-in processes. Consequently, queues have swelled, putting additional pressure on airport administration and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).
Reports suggest that Flight Information Display Systems (FIDs) at Pune Airport, crucial for providing passenger information, are currently non-functional. This has compounded difficulties for travellers seeking details about their flights. Additionally, frequent changes in boarding gate numbers have contributed to passenger congestion, exacerbating challenges faced by airport authorities.
Pune Airport’s designation as a silent airport, without public announcements, has made it challenging for passengers to access timely flight information. Growing passenger complaints about the absence of ‘Digi Yatra’ facilities and overall inconvenience at Pune Airport have prompted calls for swift action by airport authorities.
In response to the challenges, Dhairyashil Vandekar, an Air Transport Expert, stated, “The reported challenges are acknowledged, and there is hope that airport authorities will address passenger concerns promptly. The integration of all airlines with ‘Digi Yatra’ remains a crucial aspect to ensure a seamless and efficient experience for travellers, especially during peak travel periods.”
