Third Incident in Two Months: Pune Airport Sees Another Apron Area Accident
Pune, 6th July 2024: A recent accident at Pune Airport’s apron area, where two passengers were injured on Friday morning, marks the third such incident in just two months. The latest mishap raises concerns about the safety and management of the airport’s ground operations.
On May 10, an IndiGo ladder collided with a chartered flight parked in the apron area, causing significant damage. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma had arrived in the city on this aircraft for election campaigning.
Just days later, on May 16, an Air India flight bound for Delhi, carrying approximately 180 passengers, struck a tug tractor while taxiing to the runway. The aircraft sustained major damage and was subsequently parked in one of the bays for several days before being moved to an Indian Air Force space. It was flown to Hyderabad earlier this week for further repairs.
Following Friday’s incident, an IndiGo spokesperson commented, “The woman passenger received first aid at Pune airport and again after the aircraft landed in Goa. It appears to be a human error as the railing of the baggage loading unit struck the bus door.”
Pune Airport Director Santosh Dhoke stated, “I am not yet informed about the incident, but I will look into it immediately.”
The flight in question, 6E6944, was scheduled to depart from Pune at 5:15 AM and arrive at Manohar International Airport in Goa at 6:15 AM. The airline did not disclose the number of passengers on the bus at the time of the accident.
“The coach belonged to a private agency and was hired by the airline,” the IndiGo spokesperson added. “We are investigating the cause of the mishap. As the bus approached the aircraft, its rear door hit the baggage loading unit, shattering the windscreen and damaging the door.”
Several passengers expressed concerns about the chaotic apron area at the airport. Frequent flyer Vijay Gaate remarked, “Airlines often avoid using empty aerobridges to save costs, forcing inbound passengers to walk to the terminal amidst heavy vehicle movement. This is very risky. The airport authorities need to address this issue urgently. Despite having five additional aerobridges ready, they remain unused because the new terminal building isn’t operational.”
An airport official provided additional context, “The apron area is 540m x 100m with 10 parking bays, including five aerobridges. We are in discussions with airlines and their ground staff to improve apron management, emphasizing the safety and security of people, aircraft, and equipment.”
