Technical Glitch Halts Operations at Pune International Airport

Pune International Airport faced significant disruptions on Friday night when a technical issue arose during the landing of an Indian Air Force fighter jet. The runway was temporarily closed, halting all civilian flights. The IAF confirmed that the crew was safe and no civilian property was damaged. Efforts are underway to reopen the runway, with an estimated timeline of four to five hours for normal operations to resume. The incident highlights the impact of military activities on civilian aviation at shared airports.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 18, 2026, 09:16 IST

Incident at Pune Airport

Pune International Airport experienced significant disruption on Friday night when a technical malfunction occurred during the landing of an Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jet. This incident necessitated the temporary closure of the runway, halting all civilian flight operations.

The Indian Air Force announced on social media, "Due to an incident involving one of our aircraft, the runway at Pune is temporarily unavailable. The crew is safe, and there has been no damage to civilian property."

Efforts to Resume Operations

The IAF further stated, "Efforts are underway to reopen the runway as soon as possible and resume normal operations." A senior police official reported that the aircraft experienced a "hard landing," but did not provide additional details.

According to officials at Pune International Airport, the malfunction occurred around 10:25 PM during the fighter jet's landing, resulting in the runway being blocked.

Expected Timeline for Resolution

The IAF indicated that it would take approximately four to five hours to rectify the situation on the runway and restore normal operations. Aviation Minister Murli Mohol confirmed the suspension of runway operations at the airport.

Mohol stated on social media, "Fortunately, the crew is safe, and there has been no damage to civilian property. Airlines have been notified, and it may take about five hours to resume normal operations on the runway." He added, "I am in constant contact with the airport director and IAF officials to ensure a swift resolution to the situation."

Impact on Civilian Flights

Pune Airport serves as a shared facility for both military and civilian operations, meaning that IAF activities directly impact civilian flights. The IAF's technical team has been working diligently to remove the aircraft from the runway and restore operations.