PUNE (Web Desk) - The runway at Pune Airport in India was temporarily closed after an Indian Air Force fighter jet made an emergency landing, severely disrupting arriving and departing flights.
However, authorities confirmed that all personnel remained safe.
According to media reports, the incident occurred while the aircraft was attempting an emergency landing.
In a statement, the Indian Air Force said the situation arose during a routine night flight, adding that fortunately no loss of life or property was reported.
Later, the Air Force confirmed that the runway had been cleared and restored.
After completing all necessary safety inspections, it was declared fit for use again, and flight operations are being resumed in phases.
Airport and police sources indicated that a suspected fault in the aircraft’s landing gear system may have caused the jet to stop on the runway, blocking it.
However, a final technical report has not yet been released.
Officials said the incident took place at approximately 10:25 PM, after which flight operations were immediately suspended as a precautionary measure.
Pune Airport serves both civilian and military purposes and also houses an Air Force base.
As a result, commercial flight operations were significantly affected following the incident.
Air traffic authorities stated that it took around 4 to 6 hours to clear the runway and restore normal operations.
During this period, airlines were informed and flight schedules were adjusted accordingly.
India’s Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, also confirmed the incident, stating that passenger safety was the top priority and efforts were made to restore normalcy as quickly as possible.
Due to the runway closure, flight schedules on April 17 and 18 were heavily disrupted, with several airlines forced to cancel multiple flights.
IndiGo Airlines was the most affected, canceling 31 arrivals and 34 departures, while other airlines also faced disruptions.