Flight operations at Pune Airport faced considerable disruption late Monday night following a hard landing incident involving an Indian Air Force fighter aircraft, which rendered the runway temporarily inoperable. The incident took place around 10:25 PM when the aircraft reportedly experienced an undercarriage failure during landing, leaving it stranded on the 2,535-metre runway.
As a result of the runway blockage, a significant number of flights were affected. At least 32 incoming flights had to be diverted or cancelled, while a similar number of departing flights also faced delays or cancellations. This sudden disruption created confusion and inconvenience for numerous passengers, many of whom were left in uncertainty regarding their travel plans throughout the night.
The Indian Air Force has confirmed that the aircrew onboard the aircraft are safe and that there was no damage to any civil property. Efforts to restore runway operations are currently underway, with authorities deploying cranes and heavy machinery to remove the stranded aircraft. Estimates suggest that the runway could take approximately 4 to 6 hours to clear and that civil operations would only resume once clearance is granted by IAF authorities.
In response to the incident, a Court of Inquiry has been ordered to determine the exact cause of the hard landing, which is standard procedure in these situations.
The disruption has not only affected flights but has also led to growing dissatisfaction among passengers, many of whom reported last-minute cancellations, delays, and a lack of clarity on rescheduled flights. Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol has stated that he is in constant communication with both airport and Air Force authorities to ensure that normal operations are restored as quickly as possible.
