Pune Airport Runway Closed After Indian Air Force Aircraft Hard Landing

The runway at Pune International Airport was temporarily shut late Friday night after an Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jet suffered an undercarriage failure during landing, blocking operations. The incident occurred around 10:25 pm at the dual-use facility, which integrates civilian flights with the active IAF station, leading to diversions of several night flights. All aircrew emerged unharmed, and no civilian property damage was reported.

IAF spokesperson Wing Commander Vyomika Singh confirmed the "hard landing" in a social media post, stating efforts were underway to clear the runway and resume normal flights at the earliest. Airport authorities estimated a 4-5 hour closure, with operations suspended until approximately 3-4 am Saturday. Airlines including IndiGo and Air India were notified, diverting inbound flights to Mumbai and other hubs.

Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol echoed the update on X, reassuring the public of safe aircrew and intact civil infrastructure while coordinating restoration. A senior police officer described the event as a hard landing but withheld specifics, citing protocol. The fighter jet's landing gear collapse stranded it mid-runway, halting all takeoffs and landings.

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Pune Airport handles over 200 daily flights, making such disruptions significant for western India's aviation hub. Similar incidents at dual-use airfields like Lohegaon occasionally test contingency plans, but swift IAF response minimized chaos. By early Saturday, partial operations resumed around 7:30 am as clearance teams worked overnight.

This event underscores the challenges of shared military-civilian infrastructure amid India's expanding aviation sector. No casualties or major fallout occurred, allowing focus on rapid recovery. Full schedules normalized post-clearance, with authorities monitoring for residual impacts.Flight disruptions affected hundreds of passengers, highlighting the need for robust backups at key regional airports. The IAF's transparency helped calm concerns during the brief suspension.

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