Indore to Pune Air India Flights

  About Indore

Indore, the state capital of Madhya Pradesh, is one of the largest cities in the state. The city's rich culture and history are what makes this city special. It is also one of the education hubs in the country. It has an IIT as well as an IIM college. The Indreshwar Mahadev temple is a popular tourist attraction here. According to beliefs, Lord Indra meditated hereafter which Swami Indrapuri established the temple. This is also one of the pivotal reasons why the city was named Indore. It is also voted as one of the cleanest cities in India.

Best Time to Visit Indore

October to March is considered to be ideal for planning a trip to Indore, so from July to September. Summers can get pretty hot here and is not the best time to plan a trip to Indore. The city experiences winter from October to March and the climate is quite pleasant. This is also the peak season, so make sure you keep an eye out for good flight deals to Indore. You can explore the city during the day and night, too, in winter. You can also book a hotel in Indore that has a scenic view and with good offers.

Monsoon begins from July and lasts till September. The city experiences moderate to heavy rainfalls but very frequently. The climate is humid, and while you can enjoy sightseeing at certain locations in the city, other activities might come to a standstill because of the rains. Since this is off-season in the city, you might get cheap flight tickets to Indore.

Summers are from March till June. The temperature goes up to 45 degree Celsius, and the weather is also quite humid, which makes it the worst time to visit the city. Even though evenings and nights can be quite pleasant, getting out of your hotel room during the day can drain you, thanks to the humidity.

Places to Visit in Indore

Indore's Lal Bagh Palace is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city for all the right reasons. The rulers of the Holkar dynasty used to reside in the palace, and the palace reflects the grand lifestyle of the rulers. The European style of architecture, the exquisite Persian and the magnificent chandeliers add to the royalty of the palace. Kanch Mandir, which is close to Rajwada Palace, is also known for its architecture. It is made of Belgian stained glass and mirrors. The Rajwada Palace, built-in 1747 AD by Malhar Rao Holkar is another palace that will leave you impressed. The 200-year-old palace is a blend of Maratha, Mughal and French styles of architecture. You can also book a hotel in Indore that is closer to the Rajwada Palace. The city has a lot of palaces and structures that were built by and during the Holkar dynasty.

If you are visiting Indore during monsoon, make sure you check out the Patalpani waterfall that is about 30 km away from the city. Soak in this picturesque view with a few snacks that you can buy from the stalls near the waterfall. The Annapurna temple sees a lot of tourists and devotees every year. Dedicated to the Goddess of food, this temple looks grand with four life-sized elephant sculptures at the entrance. You can embrace your spiritual side at the temple. Sarafa Market is one of the most popular places for you to try the mouth-watering delicacies that Indore has to offer.

For all the animal lovers out there and budding wildlife photographers, head to the Ralamandal Wildlife Sanctuary. River Ganga, one of the holiest rivers in India, also flows through the forest. The Bamniya Kund is yet another waterfall that nature lovers will find peaceful. You can also tour through any one of the famous malls in the city to get your hands on some Maheshwari and Chanderi sarees. If you are good at haggling, you might even get more than what you planned to buy. After spending a day shopping for clothes, jewellery and accessories, you can spend the evening trying out the local street food in Indore.

Things to do in Indore

Visit the Rajwada Palace and be amazed by the beautiful architecture that is a blend of Mughal, Maratha and French styles. In fact, there are quite a few palaces in the city that you can visit and be amazed by their architecture. You can also go to the Central Museum to know more about Indian history, especially all the facts and stories related to Madhya Pradesh. You will also find a lot of medieval Hindu and Jain sculptures in the museum. Visit the Patalpani waterfalls to be amazed by nature. You can even look for treks and hikes that happen around the city. If you are looking for an outdoor or adventurous activity to do, you can do trekking to one of the hills or waterfalls. The wildlife sanctuaries that you visit will also be quite the experience, and you can even take stunning pictures here.

Sarafa Bazaar is a famous area in Indore. While you can go shopping for gold and silver during the day, the market becomes a place for all foodies to gather. You will find a lot of stalls and food carts selling lip-smacking food here. Go for a walk around the Choral Dam and lose yourself in the serenity of the environment as it is one of the most beautiful places in the city. Janapav Kuti is a mountain that is also the highest peak in the Vindhyachal range and the best spot for nature lovers. There are quite a lot of waterfalls that you can go to in Indore. There are also quite a few museums in the city you can visit to get to know more about the history of the state. You will also find a lot of temples where you can embrace your spiritual side or even sit and meditate for a while.

Food and Restaurants in Indore

Indore is known for its delicious Poha, Bhutte ki kees, Sabudana Khichdi, Dahi Vade, Malpuas, Jalebis and the list goes on. In fact, you even get different flavours of pani puri in the city. The Joshi Dahi Bada House at Sarafa Bazaar serves the best Dahi Vadas in the city. Garadu is a special Aloo chaat dish that is a speciality in Indore. People in Indore add a special spice mix to it, which is what makes it special. You'll find a lot of shops at Sarafa Bazaar that serve them. It might sound like a weird combination but Poha Jalebi is a very popular dish served in Indore. Do stop at Young Tarang in Chhapan Dukaan to try the Poha Jalebi.

Bhutte Ki Kees is a very special corn recipe that you must have in Indore. You won't get this elsewhere. Try out this snack at Joshi Dahi Bada House. The Khopra Patties at Vijay Chaat House in Chhapan Dukaan is also quite popular. If you want to take a break from street food, you can opt for On The House, a popular restaurant that has party rooms with themes and lip-smacking food, too. Delhi Grill is yet another restaurant that you can go to if you want to have good food on a budget. Shreemaya Celebrity, a bakery that is next to the Shreemaya Restaurant at AB Road, is another popular place in the city. It's quite affordable and an apt place to hang out with your friends or family. If it is Rajasthani food that you are craving, make sure that you stop by Nakhrali Dhani. It is one of the most excellent restaurants to have authentic Rajasthani cuisine in the city.

How to reach Indore (Transportation)

By Air

Since Indore is a popular tourist destination and capital of the state, too, it is well-connected to other cities. Not only is it an important tourism hub, but it is also a commercial hub. The flight connectivity from Indore to other cities is excellent. The Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport is only 8 km away from the city centre. The domestic routes from Indore to other cities are to Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Jaipur, Bhopal, Delhi and so on. There aren't a lot of international flights from Indore to other countries, but you can take connecting flights to other cities from here.

By Rail

You will get direct trains to Indore from cities like Delhi, Pune, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Bangalore. Even though the rails are well-connected to other cities, it is a long journey depending on where you board the train from. You will easily get a taxi or cab from outside the station to reach your hotel or any other part of the city.

By Road

Indore is connected to cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Agra and Pune by road. The NH3, NH 59 and NH 59A highways are some of the popular routes to Indore by road. There are government-run buses and private AC buses, too, that you can opt for to reach Indore from neighbouring cities. It is not one of the most preferred modes of transport, but it is not the most tedious one, too.

  About Pune

Pune is easily one of the best cities in Maharashtra after Mumbai. Located just 160-180 km from Mumbai, the city of Pune is actually like a weekend retreat for Mumbaikars. It is also known as one of the most important cities in the state for its extensive growth in the IT industry. After Bangalore, Pune is the second-most leading cities to be a hi-tech hub. The city is perfectly connected with other metropolitans and holds a robust economic stance in the state and country.

Best time to visit Pune

Pune's monsoon and winters are to die for! The months from July to February have the best mix of seasons to attract tourists. The monsoon lights up the greenery that Pune has to offer. It often gets quite heavy with streets being flooded. However, there are various treks and trails around Pune that can be explored during the monsoon. Not to mention how they are all safe treks. The weather is cold and charming. Add the bit about various festivals such as Ganesh Chaturthi and Raksha Bandhan that add more fervour to the city's celebratory moon.

Winter season in Pune is from October to February. The temperatures often drop low, making the city breezy and romantic. More than the weather though, the city's 3-day long celebration in December is what draws a majority of the crowd. The city organises a classical music rendezvous called Sawai Gandharva Music Festival, which unites stalwarts of the music industry. Aside from this, there are crazy music carnivals on NH7 called NH7 Weekender, which brings together famous global artists. You should book a hotel room in Pune ahead of these music festivals as the city does encounter multitudes of crowd.

Falling in the months from March to June is the summer season, probably not the best from the lot. The weather gets quite hot during summer as the scorching sun directly hits you in the face. Not to mention how there are high chances of suffering from heat strokes, especially if you are not comfortable or habituated with a tropical climate.

Places to visit in Pune

Shaniwar Wada Palace is actually a historical landmark for Pune. The majestic fortress was built back in 1732 during the existence of the Maratha Empire. Historically, the place holds a lot of significance and hence, should be visited. Aga Khan Palace makes for an intriguing setting that you should visit. Dated back to 1892, the landmark is said to have been built as an act of charity by Sultan Muhammed Shah Aga Khan III. You will be amazed by the story of this place and why it is one of the most-visited spaces in Pune.

Maharashtrian's worship Lord Ganesha and have quite a few famous temples to honour the deity. The Dagdusheth Halwai temple is also one such temple where pilgrims visit in large numbers. The place is especially lit with celebrations during Ganeshotsav, which falls in the months of August and September.

One of the most popular and renowned places to visit in Pune has got to be the Osho Ashram in Koregaon Park. Founded by spiritual leader Osho Rajneesh, the ashram further depicts some of his teachings and stories that you should learn about.

Things to do in Pune

Paash organic cafe, located in Pune, is known for its sustainable lifestyle. Right from the architecture of the cafe to the organic food, Paash certainly stands tall as a must-visit and indulge place in Pune. Lose yourself amid beautiful and rare flora that is preserved by the Agri-Horticultural Society of Western India at the Empress Garden. The garden is exquisite and stunning with the varied floral species of plants that simply captivate the senses. Sprawled across 39 acres of land, you can take postcard-worthy pictures at this garden and let your social media abuzz.

For the adventure junkies who want to spend a day away from the city and lose themselves in the green expanses of the Sahayadri Ranges, you should take up the Rajmachi trek. The place is always crowded with trekkers and hikers visiting from different parts of the state. The trek is especially enjoyable when undertaken during monsoon. In fact, there are many places that you can check out close to Pune that spring to life during the rainy season. Pune's food culture is the second-best in the state of Maharashtra after Mumbai. There are dedicated streets in the city that cater to the foodie in you. Elevate your gastronomical senses and explore more of the food culture of Pune. You can explore this on your by ensuring that you visit the right streets to check out the delicious street food.

Food and Restaurants in Pune

Much of Pune's food culture comes from its inspiration from Mumbai city's eclectic restaurant chains. From the famous South East Asian restaurant Shizusan to the German joint Malzheit, these places have also found a sweet spot in Mumbai's culinary heart. However, Pune does have some standalone stars with scrumptious cuisine that would make one go weak in the knees. Head to the Greedy Man Pizzeria to devour the city's best Napolitano-inspired pizzas, with 12-inch being the standard and only size of the bread. Doolally may have found fame in Mumbai thanks to the lovely brewed beer and quaint vibe the place sells but it actually originated in Pune. You can go for a fun brunch here and relish their freshly brewed beer. Another perfect place to delve into exquisite culinary is the 212 All Day Cafe and Bar, a project introduced by Chef Paul Kinny. You will find a slew of scintillating seafood ranging from flavoured crustaceans to barbecued ribs.

The union of South Indian cuisine with Syrian Christian and you've got Savya Rasa. This restaurant sells lip-smacking dishes ranging from Gongura Mamasam (mutton being the prime meat), Meen manga curry (fish curry with mango) and Bendakkai Goju (okra), to name a few. You can also check out Malaka Spice, a restaurant specialising in South-East Asian recipes with special attention to Vietnamese and Thai dishes. The dishes range from Mandarin duck to mutton teamed with sweet-textured sauces made from fruits.

How to reach Pune

By Air

Pune International Airport, which will soon be renamed as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje Airport, is a very important airport that sees a tremendously good connection with major cities in India. Located approximately 10 km away from the city centre, the airport sees a high footfall of passengers and is touted to be one of the busiest airports in India. The flight connectivity from Pune to various cities in India including Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Nashik, Ahmedabad, Goa, Kochi, Lucknow, etc. With such excellent domestic routes from Pune to other cities, the airport easily becomes one of the best.

For the domestic flights, the airport sees airlines such as AirAsia, Air India Express, GoAir, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Vistara and Air India provide flight services to connect Pune airport to metropolitan cities in the country. The airport also has an international wing with dedicated flights to and from Dubai, Frankfurt and Abu Dhabi as well as layovers of other flights coming to Pune from international routes. Since Pune is an international airport too, it is split between two terminals handling domestic and international flight from and to Pune. The accommodation scenes in Pune are also quite convenient. You will find cheap but good hotels and luxurious hospitality settings too. You can book your hotel in Pune by choosing from the range of lovely accommodations they have to offer. It will enhance your staycation experience.

By Rail

Pune Junction Railway Station also caters to connecting the city to other prime destinations in India. Pune enjoys services of superfast and express trains which travel faster than a mail. This enables the city to be well-connected. Prominent express trains such as Deccan Queen, Mumbai and Shatabdi Express pass through Pune. The city's railway station has astounding intercity transportation options. There are buses and rickshaw rides available right outside the station. You will also find taxi cabs lined up outside the Pune station, waiting to take you to the hotel you booked in Pune. Reaching various parts of the city is not very tough as you can always book rides on your phones, in case you are unable to haggle with the taxi cab driver.

By Road

Pune's connectivity doesn't falter even via roadways. In fact, the Expressway built connects Pune and Mumbai perfectly, enabling smooth and quick transport. The Expressway is actually one of the popular routes connecting Pune, enabling less travel time. There are a plethora of public and private-owned buses that also travel to Pune from big cities. Many jeeps and vans also board passengers to share the ride to Pune. In fact, some travellers prefer going to Pune by road, mainly because it has a beautiful highway. The buses and other road transports reaching Pune will drop you at any of the stops falling on the way to the railway station. You can book your hotel room in Pune from their wide range of accommodations and ask the taxi cab driver to help you reach the same.

 About Air India

Air India was the first Indian airline that went by the name Tata Airways when it was launched. Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata launched it in 1932 in Karachi. The first flight was from Karachi to Mumbai and then to Chennai. The airline became a public limited company after World War II, under the name Air India. In 1948, a Lockheed Constellation L-749A called the Malabar Princess landed in London Heathrow from Bombay, which was the airline's first international flight. Air India got its first Boeing 707-420 and became the first Asian airline to enter the Jet Age. It launched services to New York in 1960. It took delivery of its first Boeing 747-200B in 1971 and named it Emperor Ashoka. It acquired its first Airbus A310-300 in 1986 and Boeing 747-400 in 1993 which was named Konark later. The airline also operated its first non-stop flight between New York and Delhi during this year. In 2007, Air India merged with Indian Airlines under Air India Limited. They acquired their first Boeing 777 that year. Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi is Air India's main hub. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai is the secondary hub. Chennai International Airport, Cochin International Airport, Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad and Trivandrum International Airport are its focus cities domestically.

Air India made Frankfurt Airport its international hub in 2009 for onward connections to the United States of America from India. Still, they had to shut it down because of high operating costs. In 2010, Air India decided to open a new hub for its international flights in Dubai. The airline's financial growth has been a topic of conversation for decades. For years, there were debates around the privatisation of Air India, but the Government of India refused to go ahead with it. When it did decide to hand over responsibility to private companies, no one came forward. Air India launched its low-cost airline, Air India Express, a couple of years back that majorly flew to countries in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Despite suffering losses in the market and going through a lot of ups and downs, the airline is functioning since it is the national carrier.

Air India has also gone through a lot of modifications with its brand logo and mascot. The Maharajah is the main mascot of the airline and was created by Bobby Kooka, the commercial director of Air India then and Umesh Rao, who was an artist with J Walter Thompson Limited in 1946. The mascot was given a makeover in 2015, and the airline decided to go with a younger version of Maharajah. Since India's colour scheme is red and white, the airline's logo also incorporates the same in its logo. The name of the airline is written in Hindi and English in red. The first logo of the airline was a centaur shooting an arrow in a circle which represented the wheel of Konark. However, the airline decided to give its logo a makeover in 2007, which was a flying swan with the wheel of Konark in it.

Fleet Size of Air India

Air India had started its operations with a de Havilland Puss Moth aircraft back in 1932. It inducted its first Boeing 707-420 later on and named it Gauri Shankar. It became the first Asian airline to add a jet aircraft in its fleet. Since it is the oldest airline in the country, it has both Boeing and Airbus aircraft in its fleet. It inducted its first Boeing 747-400 in 1993 and named it Konark. The airline inducted its first Airbus A320-200 aircraft in 1989 which now covers both domestic and international short hauls. The airline has a total of 70 Airbus aircraft including one A320 Classic, 4 A320ceo, 19 A319 aircraft, 20 A321, 5 A320ceo (Single Configuration), 27 A320neo and 3 A319 (Single Configuration). It has a total of 172 narrow-body aircraft and 49 wide-body aircraft. Air India uses one of the five Boeing 747-400s as VIP flights. Air India grounded its last Airbus A320 classic fleet in 2019, and the last flight flew from Delhi to Mumbai.

Air India had also sold five of its Boeing 777-200LR aircraft to Etihad Airways in 2013 to make up for its financial losses. The airline also had plans to introduce long flights to Seattle, Los Angeles and San Francisco but had to cancel, owing to weak demand and high fuel prices.

Baggage Allowance

Air India has certain baggage allowance rules and regulations that every passenger must follow. As per Air India's baggage allowance rules, you cannot carry cabin luggage that exceeds 8 kg, and your check-in luggage cannot exceed 20 kg. If you are flying internationally and if you are a premium club member, you will be allowed up to 40 kg of baggage. Even if you are ready to pay extra, your hand baggage cannot exceed 10 kg. First Class passengers are allowed a maximum of 40 kg baggage while Business Class passengers can only carry 35 kg. If you are travelling by the Economy Class, your baggage cannot exceed 25 kg. However, if you have an infant travelling with you, an extra 10 kg baggage allowance is offered by the airline. Make sure you inform the airline staff well in advance if your luggage is going to exceed the allowed weight. The airline has also made web check-in quite convenient for its passengers. You can either log in to the website and get it done, or you can get in touch with the call centre. The executives will help you get your web check-in done. It is best to get your web check-in done in advance, so you get to pick the right seat instead of settling for something chosen by the staff at the airport.

In-flight Services

Air India's First Class is royalty and luxury personified. The seats recline up to 180-degree, and the interiors are a sight for sore eyes. In addition to the ultra-comfortable seating, Air India's in-flight services are extremely efficient, and the best part is that the first-class cabin only seats 12 passengers. You can order your favourite cocktails and cuisines that are a treat to your taste buds. You can also do all of your duty-free shopping onboard. The first-class and business class cabins are also equipped with the Thales i3000 in-flight entertainment system. You can access five channels in Hindi and English. You can also browse through Air India's in-flight magazine called Shubh Yatra. First Class and Business Class passengers can also access the Maharaja Lounge. Business-class passengers are treated to plush seats and lip-smacking entrees that are accompanied with wine. You also get an exclusive check-in and lounge facility. Don't fret if you are not travelling by the premium class. Economy class passengers have complimentary refreshments and meals on all of their flights. You will also get complimentary liquor or wine on the international flights. The airline staff makes sure that passengers have a great time during their journey.

Popular Routes and Top Cities for Air India

Air India connects to various domestic and international routes daily. Since it is one of the oldest and the first airlines, it connects to more cities domestically and internationally. It connects to approximately 102 destinations like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and so on. It also flies to international destinations that cover the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Air India has frequent flights running to other destinations and makes sure you have had a great journey as well. Do make sure that you get your web check-in done well in advance.

Why Travel by Air India?

Air India is the national airline and has been in the airline industry since 1932. The airline makes sure that you have had a comfortable journey and seldom leaves any room for complaints. It has maintained its legacy of making sure that every passenger gets a royal treatment. It is also one of the very few airlines in the country that offers first-class flights to its passengers. You can check Air India's flight schedule and your flight status on their website. Even if you cannot access the website for some reason, you will certainly get updates and messages from the airline regarding the same. It also makes web check-in quite easy for its passengers. The staff is well-equipped to solve any grievances or requests put forth by passengers. You can book an Air India flight from the website. You can also get in touch with your travel agent and get them to book the ticket for you. It would be best if you experienced the royal treatment and luxury of being Air India's first-class passenger at least once in your life. The airline has come a long way and continues to give its passengers the best services and experience. The airline also makes sure that the flights run on time.

  About Indore Airport

Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport or popularly referred to as Indore Airport is the principal international airport that caters to the city of Indore in the state of Madhya Pradesh. It is easily one of the busiest airports in Central India and is about 8 km away from the main city. Indore Airport is known to be the 21st busiest airport in the country, as of 2020. Initially called as plain Indore Airport, the decision to name it after Maharani Ahilya Bai Holkar was introduced to glorify the Holkar Dynasty of the Maratha Empire that reigned the city. Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport is known to accommodate about 2 million passengers annually. The airport has also been recognised by The World Book of Records with the World Standardization Certification for maintaining a spotless airport service quality. Much recently, Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport started a 24*7 operation with flights taking off and landing in the night as well.

Indore Airport came into existence in 1935. However, civilian operations commenced in 1948 between Indore, Delhi, Gwalior and Mumbai. An approval to operate international flight activities was also commenced. With this, Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport became the first airport in Madhya Pradesh to enable international flights and connectivity.

About Indore Airport Terminals

The airport has two terminals, one for domestic and the other for cargo operations. The domestic terminal has been developed to match international standards. All the facilities and services have been installed with modern structures. This includes escalators, high-tech baggage handling systems and various other amenities that can be availed. The terminal cargo is also perfectly maintained. The cargo's warehouses are huge, and the facilities are top-notch and better. The security to guard the cargo is also exemplary. The safety protocols have been maintained regularly. Indore Airport integrated its new terminal building and inaugurated the same in 2012. The new terminal was built by the Airports Authority of India at a whopping price of INR 1.35 billion. The airport is now capable of accommodating 700 passengers in an hour. Currently, the runway can cater to 96 flight movement daily. The international airport contains 16 check-in counters, 16 immigration booths and four customs counters. Indore Airport currently has about three aerobridges with one lift and a conveyor belt for luggage.

Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport sprawls across 729 acres with the current terminal that is spread over 18,000 square metres. The airport has also reserved the south end of the runway to the MPFC Flying Club. The sole runway is about 2750 metres long and 45 metres wide.

About airport authority

Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport was owned by the Holkar Dynasty when it first came into existence in 1935. However, the ownership and operations were handed over to the Airports Authority of India. AAI is a government statutory body that caters to the maintenance, upgradation and management of the civil aviation infrastructures that are being governed by them. Currently, the Airports Authority of India has a total of 126 airports under its wing. They have helped change the face of Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport as well. By introducing renewed technology and modern equipment, the airport's landscape has seen some significant changes. Plus, they have also built a renewed terminal building to accommodate domestic and international carriers. There are many flights flying from Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport that connect to various major and small Indian cities. Under its expansion plans, the airport body is also planning to install an airport hotel within the current integrated terminal along with a convention centre. The land is also said to be expanded to accommodate more flights.

Facilities at Indore Airport

Lounge - Indore Airport has a designated lounge called Saptagiri. The lounge is a perfect place to unwind and wait for boarding. Saptagiri has a TV installed along with a restaurant. The passenger can avail the food at reasonable prices. Simultaneously, they can be entertained by the content played on TV. The seats and meals are quite comfortable, tasty and affordable.

Restaurants and food joints - Aside from the airport's lounge, you can further avail restaurant services within the food court as well. There are designated food courts with establishments and local joints available. You can relish some of the classic Nawabi food at the airport. They also have some cafes and quaint eateries at the airport. Some of the small stores also have food and beverages sold at reasonable prices.

Shopping - Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport also has small shops set in the premise. You can find the local handicrafts and other items that reflect the culture and traditions of Indore at these shops. They are perfect for souvenir shopping for your friends and family. The shops also sell magazines, newspapers and other such entertainment content that can keep you company while you wait for boarding.

Baggage - The airport has high-tech equipment with respect to baggage. They have strict security bag checks with top-class scanners. Plus, the airline also accommodates slew of baggage services that cater to some of the needs of the passenger. These include baggage wrapping services, porter services and more. Although a dedicated storage system hasn't been installed yet, the airport does have facilities for baggage reclaim.

Travel agents - At the airport's arrivals section, you will find travel agent booths. They will help you out with all travel-related concerns. Right from booking accommodation to planning travel itineraries, the travel agents will help you with your trip to the city. Not to mention, you can also book your transportation at the travel agent's desk. You can pre-book a vehicle to take you around during your time in the city.

Smoking zones - Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport has reserved special smoking lounges for travellers. They have prohibited smoking in public spaces. Hence, travellers would need to use the smoking lounge spaces. They are available at the departure and arrivals sections of the terminals.

ATMs - There are ATM kiosks present at the airport to help travellers withdraw money for their trip. In case you might have missed out on withdrawing money for the trip, the ATMs would be right there in the airport premise to help you with your cash woes.

Special assistance - For travellers who have mobility issues or need to be accompanied within the airport premise, there are provisions for the same. Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport has dedicated staff to cater to the special assistance and needs of the passengers. The airline must be intimated on the same beforehand to make things smoother for the passenger. You can submit a list of requirements to the airline, and the airport will take care of the rest.

Medical services - Airports must have reserved medical services. The same can be found at Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport as well. They have dedicated staff to help with medical emergencies that might take place within the premise. They also have specific rooms and pharmacies to cater to the same.

Top airlines flying from Indore Airport

There are only flight services from two airlines operating from Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport. Air India and IndiGo are the two airlines that have flights flying to and from Indore airport. The connectivity of the airport to other cities is quite limited as it is not the primary airport of the state of Madhya Pradesh. Some of the top cities that are connected to Indore Airport include Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Lucknow, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Allahabad.

How to reach Indore Airport

By Road

Although a dedicated bus stand right outside Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport has not been installed yet, it does have one nearby. About 13 km away from the airport, a bus stand has been set to help passengers reach various parts of the city. You can reach the Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport by getting down at the bus stand and hailing a cab or a rickshaw. There are taxis available at all times at the bus stand. Many budget travellers often use this as an option. However, if you do not want to go through the bus crowd, you can directly hail cabs from the city to reach Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport. It is recommended that you fix a price with the cab driver to ensure that you are not swindled. Travelling within the city is quite easy and affordable. Often travellers take a cab from the airport to the bus stand and from here, continue their journey to other parts of Indore. Buses are usually considered as ideal modes of transport in Indore as they are affordable and connect to several parts of the city.

By Rail

The railway station is located at a distance of approximately 11 km from Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport. Passengers who are trying to reach Indore Airport from other parts of the state can find taxi cabs at the railway station. Since the distance is not too much, travellers often consider this as the second most viable option. From the railway station, there are many taxi services to reach Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport. The prices set by the cab drivers to reach Indore Airport are also quite reasonable considering the distance.

  About Pune Airport

Pune Airport is a civil enclave (a joint-use airport) that is situated approximately 10 km from the city centre of Pune, in the state of Maharashtra. The airport also caters to the Indian Air Force as the Air Force Station of Lohagaon. It serves as both domestic and international airport with quite a few flights operating for West Asia. Due to the increase in the demand for flights, the airport is undergoing renovation to accommodate a new terminal as well as extend the runway. The idea is to accommodate more flights at the airport and increase the connectivity to various Indian cities as well as international destinations.

The airfield was originally established under the Royal Air Force in 1939 to offer air security to the city of Bombay (renamed as Mumbai) and also played as a base to squadrons of de Havilland Mosquito and Vickers Wellington bombers, during World War II. After independence, Pune Airport primarily turned into a customs airport, as on January 1997 and serviced export of specific goods. Eventually, in 2005, the airport received a green signal to charter passenger flights along with being a customs airport. The same year, flights to international cities such as Dubai and Singapore commenced. While the airport started as one to only accommodate about 60,000 passengers in a year, rose to handle over 2.8 million in a year by 2011.

About Pune Airport terminals

Terminal 1 - Terminal 1 of Pune Airport is reserved for domestic services. Basically, all domestic and regional carriers have operations that take place from Terminal 1. The airport's Terminal 1 is divided into two levels, the ground level is for arrivals section while the first level is for departures. The terminal offers various facilities, including baby care rooms, ATMs, medical services, smoking lounge and spa services, to name a few.

Terminal 2 - Terminal 2 accommodates international operations. The terminal is reserved for all kinds of international flight activities. There are dedicated flights to Dubai and Germany that operate from Terminal 2. The terminal also caters to a few facilities such as ATMs, spa services, currency exchanges and restaurants, to name a few.

About Airport Authority

Pune Airport is owned by the Indian Air Force with operations taken over by Airports Authority of India. Although the airport authority has been trying to extend the runway at Lohegaon Airport, the lack of acquiring private plots on the western side of the airport has been concerning. The Indian Air Force has also been brought in to help with the acquisition of the land that is owned by the air force. With the growth in air traffic, the expansion project has become quite essential for the city of Pune. What makes it an important move aside from accommodating air traffic is how the extension of the runway could help accommodate operations of wide-body aircraft such as Airbus A330 and Boeing 777.

The airport authority launched an INR 1 billion worth airport expansion and upgradation plan to prepare for the Commonwealth Youth Games that was hosted in Pune. The construction of two new terminal extensions was completed in 2008 by the Airports Authority of India. The new terminal measured about 12,000 square metres on either side of the main terminal building. The previous terminal was inadequate for passenger traffic and flight operations. Hence the terminal expansions took place. With this, the airport managed to ease and accommodate passenger traffic. Newer facilities including a new parallel taxi track as well as an apron expanded enough to accommodate about eight Airbus A320 or a Boeing 737 aircraft, were also brought forth in the new airport terminal.

Further, as part of the expansion plans to introduce a new terminal building is also in the works with the Airports Authority of India is set to invest INR 400 million. They plan to integrate the new terminal into an existing one. The building will also accommodate offices of AAI. The airport authority is also working on renovating and extending the runway to 3,250 metres.

As the expansion options are limited, the government of Maharashtra has proposed the construction of a whole new airport in the Pune metropolitan region. Responsibility to execute the new Pune Airport called Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje International Airport has been entrusted to Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC). The greenfield airport is set to cover over 1,800 hectares of land and will accommodate two runways. For the same, the State Government allocated about INR 2 billion in 2012 to acquire the land for the airport.

Facilities at the Pune Airport

WiFi – Pune Airport offers WiFi services that can be availed for 30 minutes. If you need to use it for more than 30 minutes, then you will be asked to pay a certain sum.

ATMs – ATM kiosks can be found at the departure as well as the arrivals section of the terminals at Pune Airport. They are mostly of local banks.

Baby care rooms – For travellers who are with infants, the baby care rooms come as a blessing. These rooms can be utilized to feed the baby as well as change their clothes and diapers. The rooms are quite comfortable and sanitized to ensure that the parent and child are safe.

Medical services – Medical assistance is also provided with a 24/7 team of experts stationed at the airport's terminals. They often cater to medical emergencies and are equipped with basic first aid kits too.

Smoking lounge – To avoid discomfort to others, the airport has reserved smoking lounge where passengers can smoke away. You can also purchase cigarette boxes at the airport, right outside the smoking lounge.

Currency exchange – The airport offers currency exchange counters that can be found in the arrivals section of the airport terminal. The exchange rates are also quite decent and as per the market.

Baggage – With an international stature, the airport's baggage facilities are also quite next level. There are free trolleys that can be picked up from anywhere in the airport terminal. The airport also has luggage wrapping services that many can opt for if they are travelling with fragile content.

Restaurants and shops – There are many restaurants and shops available in the departure section of the airport terminal. To pass the time, one can indulge in some exquisite food that can be found at the airport's food court. Plus, there are shops also available where you can purchase exquisite items that glorify the cultural heritage of Pune.

Lounges - The airport has a specific lounge for the public called Bird Lounge. After paying a certain sum at the entrance, you can avail the comfortable services of the lounge. There are newspapers, cosy plush seating arrangement, quaint ambience, good food and hospitality, TV and more, available in the lounge. Passengers can also get access to the lounge WiFi without any specific time limit and finish office-related work.

Top airlines flying from Pune Airport

Pune Airport sees flight operations from airlines such as AirAsia India, Air India, Air Arabia, Air India Express, Alliance Air, GoAir, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Lufthansa, Silkair, Kam Air and Vistara. As an airport that caters to domestic and international cities, the airport connects to a slew of cities. In India, Pune Airport connects to cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Jaipur, Goa, Nashik, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Indore, Coimbatore, Chennai, Chandigarh, Nagpur, Belgaum, Allahabad and more. As for international cities, Pune Airport has flights flying to cities such as Sharjah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kabul, Singapore, Frankfurt and more.

How to reach Pune Airport

By Bus

The city has dedicated shuttle services allocated by Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML) to reach Pune Airport. Under the PMPML, the providers are separated into two, namely, Pune Municipal Transport (PMT) and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Transport (PCMT). Although the airport doesn't have a direct bus stand or connection available, there are locations in the proximity that helps passengers to reach Pune Airport. Passengers will have to get down at Burma Shell Stop, which is situated about five minutes away from the main passenger terminal. Scheduled buses operate from within the city to reach Pune Airport, and the journey takes about 30 minutes. The ticket fare is quite cheap and affordable and perfect for budget travellers. Schedule of the buses can be found on the official website of Pune Airport. You can peruse through the page and get details about the bus service and which time is the most convenient for your journey.

By Taxi cabs and auto-rickshaws

Another sought-after transport mode to reach Pune Airport is a prepaid taxi and auto rickshaws. There are many taxis that can be found in the main city of Pune. To reach Pune Airport, you can hail a cab from the city, or you can also book a taxi cab in advance. A one-way trip from the city centre to Pune Airport should cost approximately INR 260. However, depending on where you are reaching Pune Airport, it may vary. You can also hail auto-rickshaws and car rentals. It would be beneficial to pay for the ride in advance or fix up a cost before the journey to the airport commences.