Pune airport runway temporarily shut after IAF aircraft incident

Pune airport runway was temporarily shut after an Indian Air Force aircraft incident on Friday night. The IAF confirmed the aircrew are safe with no civil damage. Efforts are underway to restore operations and resume normal flight services soon

New Delhi/Pune: The Indian Air Force (IAF) late Friday night said the runway at Pune airport is temporarily unavailable following an incident involving one of its aircraft.

It said efforts are underway to operationalise the runway.

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“Pune runway is temporarily unavailable due to an incident involving an IAF aircraft. The aircrew are safe and there is no damage to civil property,” the IAF said on social media.

“Efforts are underway to operationalise the runway and resume normal operations at the earliest,” it said.

The airport uses a ‘dual-use model’, integrating civilian commercial operations with an active Air Force station.

A police officer said an IAF aircraft experienced a “hard landing” but refused to give details.

Union Minister of State for Aviation Murlidhar Mohol confirmed the suspension of runway operations at the airport.

“Thankfully, the aircrew are safe and there has been no damage to civil property. Airlines have been informed, and it may take approximately 5 hours to restore normal runway operations,” Mohol said in a post on X.

“I am in constant touch with the Airport Director and Air Force officials to ensure the situation is resolved at the earliest,” he said.