Pune Airport Resumes Operations Following IAF Fighter Jet Landing Incident

Pune, April 18, 2026 — A temporary closure of the runway at Pune International Airport, also known as Lohegaon, occurred late Friday night due to an incident involving a fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF). This airport, which is a civil-military shared facility, has since reopened its runway after thorough safety evaluations, with flight operations resuming on Saturday morning in stages.

Airport officials reported that the incident took place around 10:25 PM on April 17. The IAF aircraft experienced a landing gear failure, resulting in a hard landing that left it on the runway, causing a blockage. The event was accompanied by a minor technical issue, and there were initial reports of a small fire that was quickly put out.

The Media Coordination Centre of the IAF issued a statement stating that the aircraft's crew was safe and that no civilian property was damaged. Immediate action was taken to clear the runway and restore normal operations.

The runway was closed for approximately 4 to 9 hours, depending on various reports, as teams worked overnight to clear the aircraft and conduct comprehensive safety inspections. By early Saturday, April 18, the IAF declared the runway operational after completing all necessary checks.

Pune Airport, which features a single runway shared with the IAF’s Lohegaon Air Base—home to Su-30MKI squadrons—experienced notable disruptions. Several commercial flights were redirected to nearby airports like Mumbai, while others faced delays or cancellations. Passengers were advised to confirm their flight schedules with airlines.

In a follow-up communication, the IAF announced:

“The runway at Pune Airport, temporarily unavailable due to an Indian Air Force aircraft incident, has been restored and declared operational. All safety inspections and clearances are complete, with phased operations resuming.”

While the IAF has not officially confirmed the type of aircraft involved, defense sources and local reports suggest it was a Su-30MKI returning from a routine night exercise. Details about major aircraft damage or losses have not been officially disclosed.

The incident has underscored the complexities of operations at dual-use airports. Access to the terminal was restricted for new passengers during the closure, and airlines such as IndiGo issued travel advisories. The disruption impacted air traffic across the western region of India; however, no injuries were reported among civilians or military personnel.

This incident is one of several that occasionally occur at shared airbases, where military exercises and civilian flights intersect. The IAF's swift response and clear communication were commended for reducing speculation and quickly restoring normal operations. An investigation into the technical issues behind the landing gear failure is anticipated, following standard IAF protocols, with further information on the aircraft's condition and operational impacts expected soon.