Pune Airport Runway Reopens After Emergency Repair Following IAF Aircraft Incident
Flight operations at Pune airport have resumed after authorities completed urgent repair work on the runway following an incident involving an Indian Air Force aircraft. The repair was carried out on a war footing with safety maintained as the top priority throughout the process.
Minister Announces Gradual Return to Normalcy
Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol confirmed the completion of runway repairs through a social media post. "The runway at Pune Airport was temporarily unavailable following an incident involving an IAF aircraft. Runway repair work has since been completed on a war footing, with safety maintained as the top priority throughout," Mohol stated.
He further detailed the operational timeline: "Departure operations will resume from 07:30 AM, and arrival operations will commence from 08:00 AM. Air traffic in Pune is expected to gradually return to normal over the course of the day."
Significant Flight Cancellations During Closure
During the runway closure, airlines were forced to cancel numerous flights. According to airport director Santosh Dhoke, the cancellations included:
- 31 arrivals and 34 departures of IndiGo
- 3 arrivals and 3 departures of Air India
- 3 departures of SpiceJet
- 2 arrivals and 3 departures of Akasa Air
- 5 arrivals and 5 departures of Air India
Airlines Issue Advisories to Passengers
IndiGo issued a detailed advisory to passengers, acknowledging the inconvenience caused by the runway unavailability. The airline stated in a social media post: "We understand the inconvenience caused due to the continued unavailability of the runway at Pune airport and truly regret the impact this may have on your travel plans. This situation is beyond our control, and we are working closely with the relevant authorities to manage the impact."
The airline added: "We are proactively notifying customers on their registered contact details with updates on their bookings. We also recommend checking your flight status before heading to the airport. If your flight is impacted, you may choose an alternate flight or opt for a full refund through Plan B."
Details of the Aircraft Incident
Pune airport director Santosh Dhoke provided specifics about the incident that prompted the runway closure. "A fighter aircraft experienced an undercarriage failure after it had a hard landing around 10.25pm, resulting in blockage of the runway," he explained.
Dhoke continued: "It is currently positioned in the middle of the runway. Efforts are underway to move it to the taxiway. According to the IAF ATC, it will take 4-5 hours to clear the runway as cranes and heavy machinery have been deployed."
While defense sources indicated the incident involved a Sukhoi 30 MKi aircraft, the Indian Air Force has not officially confirmed the specific aircraft type involved in the incident.
The rapid response and repair work demonstrate the coordination between civil aviation authorities and defense forces to minimize disruption to air travel while ensuring safety protocols are strictly followed.
