Aircraft that suffered a tug accident still parked at Pune airport, delaying operations of ‘7/8 flights a day’ | Pune News

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said the issue of the damaged aircraft in the parking bay had been brought to his attention and he had initiated measures to remove the aircraft from the parking bay and the area could be used by other airlines. He said the damaged aircraft was affecting operations of seven to eight flights a day.

“We have to shift it to the defence base for which we need permission from the defence ministry. I have handed over a letter to (defence minister) Rajnath Singhji for seeking permission to shift the aircraft to the defence base. The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has already given permission for the shift and repair. The technical team has arrived in Pune and the spare parts required for the work are on the way,” Mohol said.

Santosh Dhoke, director of Pune airport, told The Indian Express that the aircraft involved in the pushback tug accident is still parked at the airport. “It is causing some inconvenience,” he said.

On May 17, the Air India flight to Delhi with 180 passengers on board collided with a pushback tractor at Pune airport. While none of the passengers were injured, the aircraft sustained damage to the belly area.

Mohol reviewed the progress of various projects related to Pune airport in a meeting with AAI officials and Pune district commissioner. He has promised to expedite the work on extending the runway and commissioning the airport’s new terminal.