Passengers Stranded as Pune Airport Closes Runway Following Indian Air Force Fighter Jet Incident

Pune, 20th March 2023: Flight operations at Pune Airport were affected when an incident with an Indian Air Force fighter jet Su-30 MKI caused the temporary closure of the runway. As a result, several flights were delayed, and one flight from Chennai had to be diverted to Mumbai. Although the runway was made operational later, numerous passengers were left stranded at the airport for an extended period.

Several passengers resorted to Twitter to voice their concerns and raise issues related to the incident. They tagged the Airport Authority and respective airlines in their posts.

https://twitter.com/kknath/status/1637715404448735232?t=6iSA1bCOlZNlqHQE1yu06g&s=19

Runway is closed in #pune #airport because it got damaged. Now under repair. All #flights diverted since morning. Now Indigo staff said they got runway clearance so the diverted flights will be landing. Expect a queue.

— Tania Roy (@taniaroy) March 20, 2023

In response to a passenger’s complaint regarding flight delays, Indigo Airlines tweeted explaining that the delay was due to runway restrictions, which were beyond their control. They acknowledged that such delays can be unpleasant but clarified that the runway had been cleared and was now operational.

Pune Airport Runway Shut Temporarily After Sukhoi Fighter Jet Engages Aircraft Arrester Barrier

Indian Air Force spokesperson, Wing Commander Ashish Moghe, said, “There was no damage to the aircraft. Engaging the arrester barrier gear is a planned activity for stopping a fighter aircraft. The runway, which had been closed temporarily, has been made operational again. An investigation has been ordered into the incident.”