Aviation – Pune Airport Runway Shut After IAF Aircraft Landing Incident

Aviation – Pune Airport operations were briefly halted late Friday night after an incident involving an Indian Air Force aircraft led to the temporary closure of the runway.

Pune Airport faced an unexpected disruption on Friday night when an Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft encountered difficulties during landing, forcing authorities to suspend runway operations for several hours. Officials confirmed that while the situation caused inconvenience to passengers, all crew members onboard the aircraft were safe and no civilian infrastructure was damaged.

Incident During Late-Night Landing

According to initial reports, the incident occurred around 10:25 pm when the aircraft experienced a hard landing. Airport authorities later clarified that a failure in the aircraft’s landing gear resulted in it becoming immobilized on the runway. This led to an immediate halt in all flight movements as safety protocols were activated.

The Indian Air Force, in an official statement shared on social media, confirmed the development and assured that efforts were underway to restore normalcy. The statement emphasized that there was no risk to passengers or damage to civil property, and the priority remained clearing the runway swiftly.

Runway Clearance Efforts Underway

Air Traffic Control (ATC) indicated that removing the aircraft and ensuring the runway’s safety would take approximately four to five hours. Technical teams and emergency response units were deployed promptly to manage the situation and inspect the affected area.

Authorities worked through the night to clear the obstruction and conduct safety checks before allowing flight operations to resume. Officials remained in close coordination with both airport management and Air Force personnel to expedite the process.

Flights Diverted and Delayed

The temporary closure of the runway led to widespread disruption in flight schedules. Several incoming flights to Pune were diverted to other airports across the country, including Goa, Surat, Navi Mumbai, Chennai, and Coimbatore.

Data from flight tracking services showed that multiple flights were either rerouted or cancelled due to the situation. Passengers experienced delays, with some flights redirected mid-air while others were held at departure points.

Airport authorities later confirmed that at least eight flights were diverted initially, while the overall impact extended to more than 30 flights, including both arrivals and departures.

Impact on Early Morning Operations

The disruption also affected scheduled flights early Saturday morning. Among the impacted arrivals were flights from Chennai, Delhi, and Bengaluru. Similarly, departures to major cities such as Bengaluru, Vadodara, and Delhi were delayed or rescheduled.

Airlines informed passengers about the changes and advised them to check updated flight statuses before heading to the airport. Ground staff worked to assist travelers affected by the sudden operational pause.

Government and Official Response

Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol addressed the situation, confirming that runway operations had been temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure. He reiterated that passenger safety remained the top priority and expressed relief that the incident did not result in injuries or damage.

The minister also stated that he was in constant communication with airport authorities and Air Force officials to ensure that the runway was cleared and normal services resumed as quickly as possible.

Restoration of Normal Operations

Following several hours of coordinated effort, authorities aimed to restore runway functionality and gradually resume scheduled operations. Safety inspections were conducted before reopening the runway to ensure there were no lingering risks.

While such incidents are rare, aviation experts note that strict safety procedures and quick response mechanisms help minimize risks and ensure passenger safety during unforeseen situations.

The temporary shutdown at Pune Airport highlights the importance of coordinated action between civil aviation authorities and defense forces in handling emergency scenarios efficiently