Pune, 18 April: Pune Airport resumed normal flight operations on Friday morning after an overnight suspension caused by an incident involving an Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft that temporarily blocked the runway.
According to airport authorities, departure operations at Pune International Airport recommenced at 7:30 am, followed by the resumption of arrival flights at 8:00 am, after extensive runway clearance and safety inspections were completed.
Pune Airport Incident Causes Overnight Disruption
The disruption at Pune Airport began late Thursday night at approximately 10:25 pm, when a fighter aircraft experienced an undercarriage failure during landing. The aircraft came to a halt on the runway, making it unusable for both arrivals and departures.
As a precautionary measure, authorities immediately suspended all flight operations at Pune Airport to ensure passenger safety and allow emergency response teams to assess the situation.
Officials confirmed that it took nearly 4–5 hours to clear the runway and restore operational readiness, with coordinated efforts from airport authorities and Indian Air Force personnel.
Authorities Confirm Safe Resolution
Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol confirmed the temporary suspension and subsequent restoration of operations at Pune Airport.
In an official statement, he emphasized that safety remained the top priority, noting that the aircrew were safe and there was no damage to civil infrastructure.
“I am in constant touch with airport and Air Force officials to ensure the situation is resolved at the earliest,” Mohol stated.
The Indian Air Force also issued an update confirming the situation and response measures.
“Pune runway is temporarily unavailable due to an incident involving an IAF aircraft. The aircrew are safe and there is no damage to civil property. Efforts are underway to operationalise the runway and resume normal operations at the earliest,” the IAF said.
Impact on Flights and Passengers
The incident at Pune Airport caused temporary disruption to both arrivals and departures, affecting several domestic flights.
Airlines were informed in advance, enabling them to:
- Delay scheduled departures
- Divert incoming flights
- Adjust operational plans
Passengers experienced delays and inconvenience during the night hours. However, compared to similar runway incidents, the disruption was resolved relatively quickly, allowing operations to normalize by early morning.
Dual-Use Operations at Pune Airport
Pune Airport operates under a dual-use model, where civilian flights share infrastructure with an active military airbase. While this approach maximizes infrastructure efficiency, it can also lead to operational challenges during military-related incidents.
Aviation experts note that such situations highlight the importance of seamless coordination between civil aviation authorities and defense agencies to minimize disruptions and ensure passenger safety.
Preliminary Findings Under Review
Initial reports suggest that the aircraft involved may have experienced a hard landing, leading to the undercarriage malfunction. However, detailed technical investigations are still underway to determine the exact cause of the incident.
Authorities have not released further specifics, and a comprehensive assessment is expected in the coming days.
Industry Perspective and Operational Efficiency
From a travel trade perspective, the quick restoration of services at Pune Airport demonstrates the effectiveness of emergency response systems in place at Indian airports.
At the same time, the incident underscores the importance of contingency planning for airlines and travel operators, especially at airports with shared military and civilian operations.
The ability to respond swiftly helped minimize long-term disruption and maintain operational confidence among airlines and passengers.
Pune Airport Operations Fully Normalised
As of Friday morning, Pune Airport is fully operational, with all flight schedules returning to normal. Authorities have advised passengers to check with airlines for any residual delays or updates.
The swift handling of the situation reflects strong coordination between airport authorities, the Indian Air Force, and aviation stakeholders.
✈️ TTN Note
Travel Trade News (TTN) brings you the latest updates from the travel, tourism, aviation, and hospitality sectors.
For publishing news, press releases, or partnerships, contact: connect@ttnconnect.worldh out to us at connect@ttnconnect.world