Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Pune Airport in Maharashtra has been playing significant role as the hub for distribution of Serum Institute’s Covidshield vaccine across India. More than 10 crore doses of Covid Vaccine, approximately 9,052 pieces (approx. 2,89,465 wgt. in kg) have been transported through various airlines from Pune Airport to different destinations such as Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Bhopal, Goa, Jaipur, Port Blair, Vijayawada, Bhubaneshwar, Patna, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Leh, Karnal, Hyderabad, Guwahati, Ranchi, Jammu, Cochin, Dehradun, Srinagar, and Trivandrum from January 12, 2021, till May 27, 2021,. India’s Airports across the country are contributing by ensuring seamless transport & shipment of vaccines and other essential medical supplies across the length and breadth of the country.
The entire team at Pune Airport including AAI and all stakeholders are ensuring seamless and smooth dispatch of Covishield vaccine. There is a dedicated team of AAI, AAICLAS, CISF, Serum Institute, Airlines, and IAF which ensures coordination and priority handling of flights carrying vaccines out of Pune Airport.
The airport has also been transporting the vaccine internationally. Around 2,16,000 doses (570 kgs) of Covid Vaccine have been transported to Suriname, Saint Kitts, St. Vincent and Gernadines, Antigua and Barbuda, and St. Lucia, from Pune Airport by Chartered flight in February 2021. PVC Vaccine approx. 161 pieces (3670 kg) was transported to Kolkata and Covid 19 Testing Kit were transported from Pune Airport to Delhi.
Apart from this, Pune Airport is also following all the Covid-19 related guidelines and protocols as per the instructions of Central and State Governments to ensure a safe journey for passengers. The airport staff makes continuous requests to all the passengers, stakeholders, visitors, employees etc. to always follow Covid appropriate behaviour and maintain staggered timing to minimise crowding. To create awareness regarding Covid appropriate behaviour, ensuring safety of passengers, the airport is also displaying instructions through several electronic and permanent displays at the terminal, according to a PIB release.
Pune Airport has organised Covid vaccination camp for employees of AAI and other stakeholders in collaboration and support from state government, Indian Air Force, Pune Municipal Corporation, and various hospitals at Pune taking all safety measures into consideration.