Stray Dog Wanders Onto Active Runway at Pune Airport, Passenger Video Triggers Safety Concerns
Stray Dog Wanders Onto Active Runway at Pune Airport, Passenger Video Triggers Safety Concerns
Passengers waiting to depart from Pune airport were left unsettled after an unexpected and troubling sight unfolded on the runway. A stray dog was seen casually crossing an active airstrip while flight operations were underway, exposing worrying gaps in runway security at one of Maharashtra’s busiest airports.
The incident took place around 7.40 pm on Saturday and was captured on a mobile phone by a passenger seated on a domestic flight preparing to leave Pune for Jalgaon. The video, which has since drawn wide attention, shows the animal moving freely across the runway as aircraft activity continued nearby.
The footage was recorded by Devesh Lohandkar, a resident of Khamgaon, who was travelling on a FLY99 flight. Recalling the moment, Lohandkar said the scene deeply unsettled him, especially in light of recent aviation-related mishaps. “With so many serious air safety incidents happening lately, watching a dog stroll across the runway was extremely alarming. As someone onboard the aircraft, it made me question how this could happen at a major airport like Pune,” he said.
The timing of the incident has intensified public concern, coming just days after the fatal plane crash in Baramati that once again brought aviation safety into sharp focus. The presence of an animal on an operational runway is considered a serious hazard, as even a small obstruction can have disastrous consequences during take-off or landing.
Pune airport’s operational control by the Indian Air Force has also drawn scrutiny, given the expectation of strict safety and security measures at such facilities. The sight of a stray animal gaining access to a restricted zone has raised questions about perimeter control and coordination among responsible agencies.
An official from the Airports Authority of India (AAI), who chose to remain unnamed, acknowledged the gravity of the situation while refraining from assigning blame. “Incidents of this nature are viewed with utmost seriousness. Coordination is immediately initiated with airport operations, the relevant Pune Municipal Corporation departments, and security agencies to ensure that established safety norms are properly enforced,” the official stated.
