Pune Airport Runway Closed After IAF Jet Hard Landing, Disrupts 30+ Flights
Flight operations at Pune Airport faced severe disruption when an Indian Air Force fighter jet executed a hard landing, leading to the temporary closure of the runway late Monday night.
At approximately 10:25 PM, the aircraft encountered an undercarriage malfunction during landing, which left it immobile on the 2,535-meter runway, causing it to be non-operational for several hours.
Defense sources suggested that the aircraft might be a Sukhoi Su-30MKI, but officials have not yet confirmed the specific model of the aircraft involved.
The runway closure caused significant disruption in flight operations:
| At least 32 incoming flights were diverted or canceled |
| A similar number of departures faced delays or cancellations |
| Passengers experienced confusion and inconvenience throughout the night |
The Indian Air Force provided assurance with the following updates:
| The aircrew remained unharmed |
| No damage was reported to civil property |
| Efforts are being made to swiftly restore runway operations |
To clear the runway, authorities utilized cranes and heavy machinery to relocate the aircraft, anticipating that it would take between four to six hours. Civil flights were to resume only after clearance from the Indian Air Force.
An investigation has been initiated to determine the exact cause of the incident, with a Court of Inquiry set to conduct the standard procedure in such cases.
The disruption resulted in substantial inconvenience for passengers, with many reporting last-minute cancellations, delays, and uncertainty regarding revised flight schedules.
Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol stated he is maintaining regular communication with airport and Air Force authorities to ensure that operations return to normal as soon as possible.
