10 August,2026 09:46 PM IST | Pune | Archana Dahiwal
Pune airport officials said the airport remains committed to providing prompt assistance for life-saving medical movements. Pic/Videograb/Special Arrangemen
Pune airport in Maharashtra on Monday facilitated the safe and timely transportation of a human organ from Pune to Mumbai, with airport authorities, the airline, ground handling agency, security personnel and medical teams working together to complete the critical movement, officials said.
A non-scheduled flight operated by Jhankar Aviation Pvt Ltd, using aircraft VT-TIS, was arranged to transport the organ. The flight was scheduled to leave Pune at 4 pm and reach Mumbai at around 4.30 pm.
The organ was retrieved from the donor hospital at Bharati Hospital in Pune and was being transported to Sir H N Reliance Foundation Hospital in Mumbai, where the recipient's medical team was waiting.
Given the limited time available for transplantation, the airport coordinated closely with all agencies involved to ensure the organ and medical team reached the aircraft without delay.
Officials said the organ was packed in a specially designed insulated ice box with three layers of protective covering.
It was preserved using a preservative solution along with ice gel packs or sterile ice. The inner dimensions of the box were approximately 18 inches by 11 inches, while the outer dimensions were around 20 inches by 13 inches.
The specialised packaging was used to help maintain the organ at the required temperature during transportation.
Pune airport facilitated the movement of the medical team and the organ box to the aircraft while following applicable aviation security and safety procedures.
Officials said the coordinated effort ensured that the life-saving organ reached Mumbai within the required time window, supporting the medical team in its efforts to save a patient's life.
Pune airport officials said the airport remains committed to providing prompt assistance for life-saving medical movements.
The airport will continue to coordinate with airlines, medical teams, security agencies and other stakeholders while ensuring compliance with aviation safety and security regulations.
