International passengers using Pune’s Lohegaon Airport may soon breeze through immigration in under 30 seconds. On 10 February, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol told The Indian Express that talks are under way with the Home Ministry to roll out the Fast-Track Immigration–Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) at the growing hub.
FTI-TTP—India’s answer to the US Global Entry system—uses pre-enrolment, biometrics and e-gates to automate clearance for Indian citizens and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card-holders. Launched at Delhi in 2024 and now operating at 13 airports, the programme has cut peak-hour queues by up to 70 percent, according to Bureau of Immigration data.
Pune handled 338,000 international passengers last year, a 65 percent jump fuelled by new services to Bangkok and Dubai. But with only ten parking bays, aircraft often sit idle while passengers clear legacy counters. Airport officials say FTI-TTP would unblock gates faster, improving turnaround times and slot utilisation for carriers.
![Fast-Track Immigration ‘Trusted Traveller’ Programme Poised for Launch at Pune Airport]()
Travelers looking to pair faster border clearance with an equally hassle-free visa experience can turn to VisaHQ. The company’s India portal (https://www.visahq.com/india/) lets passengers research entry rules for more than 200 destinations, complete digital applications, and track approvals in real time—ideal for Pune-based executives juggling last-minute trips.
Corporate mobility teams stand to gain as well: Pune’s IT parks and auto clusters rely on frequent short-haul travel to client sites. Employees enrolled in FTI-TTP can plan tighter itineraries, and companies can reclaim productivity lost in hour-long arrival queues.
The scheme remains free during its pilot phase. Applicants submit passports online, then provide fingerprints and a facial scan at an FRRO or on first use. Roll-out timelines depend on Home-Ministry approval, but vendors have indicated hardware can be installed within six weeks once budgets clear.
FTI-TTP—India’s answer to the US Global Entry system—uses pre-enrolment, biometrics and e-gates to automate clearance for Indian citizens and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card-holders. Launched at Delhi in 2024 and now operating at 13 airports, the programme has cut peak-hour queues by up to 70 percent, according to Bureau of Immigration data.
Pune handled 338,000 international passengers last year, a 65 percent jump fuelled by new services to Bangkok and Dubai. But with only ten parking bays, aircraft often sit idle while passengers clear legacy counters. Airport officials say FTI-TTP would unblock gates faster, improving turnaround times and slot utilisation for carriers.
Travelers looking to pair faster border clearance with an equally hassle-free visa experience can turn to VisaHQ. The company’s India portal (https://www.visahq.com/india/) lets passengers research entry rules for more than 200 destinations, complete digital applications, and track approvals in real time—ideal for Pune-based executives juggling last-minute trips.
Corporate mobility teams stand to gain as well: Pune’s IT parks and auto clusters rely on frequent short-haul travel to client sites. Employees enrolled in FTI-TTP can plan tighter itineraries, and companies can reclaim productivity lost in hour-long arrival queues.
The scheme remains free during its pilot phase. Applicants submit passports online, then provide fingerprints and a facial scan at an FRRO or on first use. Roll-out timelines depend on Home-Ministry approval, but vendors have indicated hardware can be installed within six weeks once budgets clear.
