Baramati Airfield: A History of Incidents Culminating in Tragedy
The Baramati Airfield in Maharashtra, which witnessed the fatal aircraft crash on January 28, 2026, claiming the lives of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and five others, has a documented history of aviation incidents. This airfield, home to two prominent flight training academies, has been the site of multiple non-fatal accidents since 2013, though none previously resulted in casualties.
Infrastructure and Management Details
According to official records from the Maharashtra Airports Development Company (MADC), Baramati is classified as one of the state's 15 domestic unlicensed airports. The facility is owned by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) and managed by Baramati Airport Limited (BAL). The airfield features a single asphalt runway measuring 7,710 feet (2,350 meters) and spans approximately 450 acres.
Shivaji Taware, the Manager of Baramati Airfield, revealed that the strip was originally established in the 1990s. He noted that the airfield typically handles six to seven charter flights per month, with a significant portion involving political figures.
Lease and Reclamation by Authorities
In 2009, the airfield was leased to step-down subsidiaries of Reliance Infrastructure Limited, along with four other similar airfields in Maharashtra, for developmental purposes. However, due to a lack of substantial development and insufficient flight operations, MIDC took back possession of the airfield in 2025.
Training Academies and Previous Incidents
The airfield premises host two key training institutions:
- Redbird Flight Training Academy
- Academy of Carver Aviation Private Ltd
Multiple aircraft operating from this location have been involved in incidents since 2013, as documented in reports including one by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) from July 2022. Despite these occurrences, all previous incidents were non-fatal.
Scene on the Eve of the Crash
On the day preceding the tragic crash, the Baramati airport building—which comprises two cabins and one room—reportedly had more media personnel present than airport officials. A heavy police deployment was observed at the airfield, with ministers visiting the accident site throughout Wednesday.
The recent crash has brought renewed scrutiny to the safety protocols and operational history of this aviation facility, raising questions about infrastructure maintenance and regulatory oversight in regional airports across Maharashtra.
