'Airlines faced losses when MAFI project was underway'

Flights of different airlines incurred losses during the Modernisation of Airfield Infrastructure (MAFI) project this year, which was underway from January 15 and April 15.

Even though the MAFI project at Lohegaon, Pune, was completed in the stipulated time of three months, the airlines had to suffer several logistical setbacks, said Dhairyashil Vandekar, chairman of Pune Airlines Operators Committee.

Vandekar said, "A majority of the prime flights, of which there were 10 international and 15 domestic connecting flights, were affected. Airlines had to bear the cost of sending the flyers to Mumbai, so that their travel plans would not be affected.

Due to this, the airlines had to face losses to the tune of crores. Extra ground staff were deployed. The airlines had to rework the routes to maintain their slots. On a few occasions, airlines had to cancel their scheduled flights that originated from Pune."

He added, "Air traffic control, Central Industrial Security Force, customs and immigration also coordinated with us."