Pune Airport Reopens After IAF Incident

April 18, 2026 — Flight operations at Pune International Airport have officially resumed this morning, bringing relief to hundreds of passengers after an overnight suspension caused by an emergency incident involving an Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft.

The airport, which operates under a dual-use model serving both commercial and military flights, saw its runway declared operational once again at 8:00 AM on Saturday, following approximately 11 hours of closure.

The Incident

The disruption began late Friday night at approximately 10:25 PM, when a fighter aircraft—identified as an Indian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30MKI—experienced a “hard landing” on the runway. Initial reports indicate that the aircraft suffered an undercarriage failure upon touchdown, which rendered it temporarily immobile on the tarmac and necessitated an immediate closure of the runway for safety and recovery operations.

The IAF issued a statement shortly after the incident, confirming that the aircrew involved were safe and that there was no damage to civil property or airport infrastructure. A minor fire, which reportedly broke out following the landing, was quickly contained by emergency response teams.

Operational Impact and Disruptions

The closure triggered a cascade of disruptions across the aviation network. Pune, a key transit hub, faced significant challenges throughout the night as the airport authority issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) to suspend commercial arrivals and departures.

• Flight Cancellations: Dozens of flights were grounded or cancelled as the runway remained out of commission. Airlines including IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, Akasa Air, and Air India Express reported widespread service interruptions.
• Diversions: Incoming flights scheduled for late Friday night and early Saturday morning were diverted to other regional airports, including Goa, Surat, Navi Mumbai, Chennai, and Coimbatore.
• Passenger Experience: Airlines worked through the night to support affected travelers, issuing advisories and offering rebooking options or refunds to passengers stranded by the sudden closure. Airport personnel and security teams were on-site at the terminal to manage crowds, providing water, refreshments, and real-time updates to minimize inconvenience.

Restoration Efforts

The recovery was a coordinated effort between the Indian Air Force and civil airport authorities. IAF personnel worked through the night to clear the runway of the aircraft and conduct rigorous safety inspections to ensure that the surface was safe for commercial traffic to resume.

Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, closely monitored the situation, maintaining communication with the Airport Director and Air Force officials. In a post shared on social media, the Minister confirmed the suspension and emphasized that the restoration was executed with safety as the primary priority.

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Returning to Normalcy

As of Saturday morning, the airport is transitioning back to its standard schedule. Departure operations were the first to resume at 7:30 AM, followed by arrival operations at 8:00 AM.

Airport authorities have advised travelers to verify their flight status directly with their respective airlines before heading to the terminal, as flight schedules are expected to stabilize gradually throughout the day. While the overnight incident caused significant logistical challenges, the swift response from military and civil authorities has prevented any long-term impact on the city’s air connectivity.