Agencies | Pune: Flight operations at Pune International Airport were severely disrupted late Friday night after an Indian Air Force fighter aircraft suffered an undercarriage failure during landing, forcing a temporary shutdown of the runway.
The incident occurred around 10:25 PM when the aircraft made a hard landing and came to rest on the runway, effectively blocking it. The aircrew onboard were reported safe, and no damage to civil infrastructure was recorded.
The runway closure led to widespread disruption, with multiple airlines cancelling or rescheduling flights. According to airport authorities, dozens of arrivals and departures across major carriers, including IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, Akasa Air, and Air India Express, were affected on April 18.
Officials said it could take between four to five hours to clear the runway and restore operations, with normal services expected to resume in the early hours of Saturday.
In an official statement, the Indian Air Force confirmed the incident and said efforts were underway to operationalise the runway at the earliest. Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol also assured that authorities were closely monitoring the situation and working to minimise inconvenience to passengers.
The disruption once again highlighted the operational challenges at Pune airport, which functions as a dual-use facility catering to both civilian and military aviation. Such arrangements, while common, can amplify the impact of incidents involving either side.
Passengers were advised to stay in contact with their respective airlines for updates on flight schedules, as authorities worked through the night to restore normalcy.
