Pune Airport Conducts Full-Scale Mock Drill To Test Emergency Preparedness
Pune Airport Conducts Full-Scale Mock Drill To Test Emergency Preparedness
Pune, July 21, 2025: Pune Airport successfully carried out a full-scale emergency mock drill on Saturday, aligning with the Aerodrome Emergency Plan (AEP) as per the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) guidelines. The exercise aimed to assess the readiness, coordination, and operational efficiency of multiple agencies in managing a real-time aviation crisis.
The simulated scenario involved smoke detected in the cockpit of a dummy incoming aircraft. Once the alert was raised, the Airport Emergency Plan was promptly activated, and all stakeholders were notified. Various emergency centres were quickly set up, including the Emergency Control Centre (ECC), Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), Survivors Reception Centre (SRC), Crew Reception Centre (CRC), Friends and Relatives Reception Centre (FRRC), and a dedicated Media Centre. A passenger coach was used to replicate an aircraft, adding realism to the exercise.
Firefighting units from the Indian Air Force (IAF) Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Services (ARFF), along with fire brigades from PMC, PMRDA, and PCMC, swiftly responded to contain simulated fires and evacuate dummy passengers. Medical teams from the Airport Health Organization (APHO), district health services, and local hospitals provided first aid and transported “injured” passengers to designated facilities.
The drill saw participation from around 330 personnel, including representatives from the Airports Authority of India (AAI), CISF, Immigration, airlines, ground handling agencies, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), civil defence, district administration, state police, and local hospitals.
Airport Director lauded the seamless coordination among agencies, while independent evaluators shared observations and recommendations for further strengthening response mechanisms.
