Pune Airport Resumes Flights After IAF Jet Incident Forces Closure

Flight operations at Pune Airport (PNQ) have resumed following an approximately nine-hour closure caused by an incident involving an Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft. The disruption led to the cancellation of 91 commercial flights and the diversion of 12 others, affecting thousands of passengers. The incident, involving a Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet, highlights the operational vulnerabilities of India's dual-use civil-military airports.

The runway closure began late Friday evening after the IAF aircraft experienced an undercarriage failure during a hard landing, immobilizing it on the airport's sole runway. Union Minister of State (MoS) for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, announced Saturday morning that repair work was completed on a "war footing" with safety as the top priority. Departures recommenced at 7:30 AM, followed by arrivals at 8:00 AM.

Operational and Airline Impact

The temporary shutdown had a significant impact on airline schedules. According to the Airport Director, a total of 91 flights were cancelled, comprising 43 arrivals and 48 departures. IndiGo was the most affected carrier, with 65 cancellations (31 arrivals and 34 departures). Other impacted airlines included Air India, SpiceJet, Akasa Air, and Air India Express. An additional 12 inbound flights were diverted to nearby airports, including Mumbai, Goa, and Surat.

The IAF confirmed the incident via a social media post, stating that the aircrew were safe and no damage was sustained by civil property. Heavy machinery was deployed to clear the immobilized Sukhoi from the runway, allowing for safety inspections and repairs before the airport could be reopened to traffic.

The Challenge of a Civil Enclave

Pune Airport operates as a civil enclave at the IAF's Lohegaon Air Force Station. This operational model, common in India, means that the Airports Authority of India (AAI) manages the passenger terminal while the IAF controls the runway and air traffic control (ATC) services. Following the incident, the IAF's Senior Air Traffic Control Officer (SATCO) issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), officially closing the shared runway to all traffic.

This structure makes commercial operations subordinate to military activities and emergencies. The Pune incident is not isolated and reflects a systemic challenge for India's aviation growth. Civil enclaves like those in Goa and Chandigarh frequently experience commercial disruptions due to their reliance on a single, military-controlled runway. This dependence creates a bottleneck that can halt all civil aviation activity instantly during a military incident, as seen in this case. The official AAI page for Pune Airport details its status as a civil enclave.

Historical Precedents

This event follows a pattern of disruptions at other key dual-use airports in India.

In November 2019, a Navy MiG-29K fighter jet crashed at Goa's Dabolim Airport, another civil enclave. The runway was closed for over an hour, leading to significant delays and diversions for commercial airlines. Similarly, in September 2014, an IAF Jaguar fighter jet experienced a tire burst at Chandigarh Airport, blocking the runway and causing widespread flight cancellations.

These historical precedents demonstrate the recurring operational risk for airlines and passengers at airports where military and civil aviation share critical infrastructure. The outcome in Pune—a multi-hour shutdown with mass cancellations—is consistent with the consequences seen in past incidents.

What Comes Next

While flight operations are gradually returning to normal, the IAF has initiated a formal court of inquiry to determine the precise cause of the Sukhoi Su-30MKI's undercarriage failure. The findings from this investigation are expected to be released in the third quarter of 2026.

For the city of Pune, the incident has renewed calls from passenger advocacy and business groups for the expedition of the long-proposed Purandar International Airport. Proponents argue that a dedicated civilian airport is essential to de-risk air travel and support the region's economic growth without being constrained by military operational requirements.

Why This Matters

This runway closure at a major metropolitan airport underscores the growing pains of Indian aviation infrastructure. While dual-use airports have been a practical solution, this incident highlights their inherent fragility and the cascading economic impact of a single point of failure. The event serves as a critical data point in the ongoing debate about the need for dedicated civil airport infrastructure to match the country's rapid growth in air traffic.