Weeks after a leopard was spotted near Pune Airport, a new animal-related scare disrupted air travel, this time, due to a stray dog on the runway.
As per the report by ToI, major scare was reported at Pune Airport on Saturday evening around 6 pm, when a stray dog entered the runway just as Air India Express flight IX 1097 from Bhubaneswar was preparing to land. The aircraft had descended to an altitude of around 100–150 feet when the pilot spotted the dog on the runway.
Animals on or near airport runways can pose serious risks to aircraft during takeoff and landing, potentially causing accidents or damage. However, in this case, quick and decisive action by the pilot helped avoid a collision and ensured the safety of passengers and crew.
Director of the Pune International Airport Santosh Dhoke, however, said that they have not received any information regarding such an incident. He also said that the airport authority conducts regular inspections to prevent such incidents and has issued at least 3 notices to the Pune Municipal Corporation to collect garbage promptly, as it attracts birds and stray dogs.
At Pune Airport, the civil enclave allows commercial airlines like Air India or IndiGo to operate flights, but the runway belongs to and is controlled by the Lohegaon Air Force Station.
Landing delayed by an hour
Acting swiftly, the pilot aborted the landing and took the aircraft back into the air to ensure the safety of passengers. Had the plane been any lower, officials say, it would have been difficult to avoid a dangerous situation. After the dog was safely removed from the runway, the flight landed without any mishap, though delayed by nearly an hour.
The incident sparked concern among passengers and raised questions about airport security, especially following recent reports of a leopard sighting near the airport premises. Pune airport has been dealing with unusual bird activity and stray dogs for some time. On June 21, an Air India flight was involved in a bird strike incident.
