IAF to airlift Covid vaccines from Pune to Mumbai during airport closure

Pune: Even as Pune airport will be closed for operations from October 16-29, vaccines will be airlifted from Pune to Mumbai by the Indian Air Force (IAF), IAF officials said on Wednesday.

The IAF in a statement clarified that during the days of closure, vaccines will be airlifted from Pune deploying suitable IAF assets to ensure uninterrupted supply.

“During the period of complete closure of the runway, IAF will ensure airlift of vaccines from Pune to Mumbai by deploying suitableIAF assets for the purpose to ensure uninterrupted supply chain,” IAF said in a statement issued on Wednesday.

With Serum Institute of India (SII) manufacturing Covishield at its Pune facility, Lohegaon airport in Pune has proved to be key centre for transporting vials across India.