BackWORLD
Flight operations back to normal at Pune airport after IAF fighter aircraft accident
An IAF fighter aircraft suffered an undercarriage failure during landing at Pune airport, causing a late-night runway blockage. After about four to five hours of clearance work, flight operations resumed in the morning with departures at 7:30 am and arrivals at 8:00 am, though many flights were canceled or diverted.
Why It Matters
The incident disrupted air travel in Pune and surrounding areas, prompting a rapid, coordinated response between the IAF and civil aviation authorities to restore operations and manage disruptions.
Timeline
5 Events
Diversions to nearby airports and backlog management
April 18, 2026
Some incoming flights were diverted to nearby airports such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Goa International Airport and Surat Airport, while others experienced delays due to the cascading impact of the runway closure. Officials said some residual delays may continue as airlines work to clear the backlog, with normalcy expected to return by the end of the day.
Flight cancellations and diversions tallied
April 18, 2026
In total, at least 43 arrivals and 48 departures were cancelled across airlines. IndiGo cancelled 31 arrivals and 34 departures; Air India canceled 3 arrivals and 3 departures; SpiceJet canceled 2 arrivals and 3 departures; Akasa Air canceled 2 arrivals and 3 departures; Air India Express canceled 5 arrivals and 5 departures.
Flight operations resume: departures first, then arrivals
April 18, 2026
Departures resumed from 7:30 am local time, followed by arrivals from 8:00 am, as authorities stated that emergency repair work had been completed on priority and safety protocols were followed.
Runway clearance and restoration began during the night
April 18, 2026
The stranded aircraft was cleared and the runway restored after nearly four to five hours, enabling the start of recovery operations in the early hours of Saturday.
Undercarriage failure leads to runway blockage at Pune airport
April 17, 2026
Around 10:25 pm on Friday, an Indian Air Force fighter aircraft developed an undercarriage failure during landing at Pune airport, leaving the runway unusable and triggering a temporary closure.