New Delhi, April 18 -- An Indian Air Force aircraft belly-landed at Pune airport late Friday, triggering a multi-hour runway closure that cascaded into disruptions for commercial airlines. According to Pune Airport manager 31 arrivals, 34 departures of IndiGo airlines were cancelled. Further 3 arrivals, 3 departures of Air India cancelled; 2 arrivals, 3 departures of SpiceJet airlines were cancelled, 2 arrivals, 3 departures of Akasa Air were cancelled; and 5 arrivals, 5 departures of Air India Express were cancelled on 18 April, 2026.

Pune's sole commercial runway fell silent just before midnight on Friday after an Indian Air Force fighter aircraft suffered an undercarriage failure during landing, physically blocking the strip and forci...