Nanded airport closure has grounded the only direct flight connecting the city to Pune, leaving passengers and businesses grappling with disruptions as uncertainty over resumption of services grows.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordered the suspension of operations at Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Airport on 22 August after identifying what were described as “level-1” safety violations during an inspection. Aviation experts explained that such findings represent serious non-compliance with flight safety norms and demand immediate rectification. Runway maintenance lapses linked to inadequate power back-up were reportedly at the heart of the regulator’s concerns. The move has effectively severed Nanded’s only scheduled air link to Pune, a route that carried nearly 5,000 passengers each week. Star Air, which operated the flights under the central government’s UDAN regional connectivity scheme, said it was forced to suspend operations without prior warning. The airline confirmed it would process refunds but added that the closure had caught both carriers and passengers by surprise.
Travellers voiced frustration over the lack of communication and alternatives. Many passengers, including business commuters, said they now had little choice but to turn to road or rail, journeys that take significantly longer than the one-and-a-half-hour flight. Citizens argued that the airport operator should have made a formal announcement instead of leaving passengers to discover cancellations at the last minute. Officials from the Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC), which took over management of the facility earlier this year, maintained that the issue was being monitored closely by the state government. They confirmed that DGCA’s observations were under review and assured that flight operations would resume at the earliest. Plans are reportedly in place to upgrade the airport’s infrastructure to prevent future disruptions.
Industry voices highlighted that the closure comes at a critical time for Marathwada’s economy, as improved regional connectivity is seen as vital to attracting investment. Representatives of trade bodies noted that flight suspensions risk slowing business momentum in a region already grappling with limited infrastructure. However, they also stressed that regulatory enforcement by DGCA should be seen as a positive step towards strengthening safety standards. For now, Nanded remains disconnected from Pune by air, and officials have hinted the shutdown could last at least another two weeks. As passengers scramble to adjust their travel plans, the episode underscores both the fragility of regional aviation networks and the urgent need for sustainable, well-managed infrastructure.
Also Read : Pune Metro To Operate Every 3 Minutes On District Court-Swargate Route
