New Delhi, June 25: An Air India flight operating from Delhi to Amritsar briefly entered Pakistani airspace during its approach to Amritsar airport on June 22, prompting the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to launch an investigation into the incident.
The flight, AI479, operated by an Airbus A321 aircraft (VT-PPV), was approaching Amritsar when it was instructed by Air Traffic Control (ATC) to remain in a holding pattern due to a runway inspection following a reported bird-strike incident involving another aircraft.
According to the DGCA, after the aircraft commenced its approach during radar vectoring, it briefly crossed into Pakistani airspace near the Attari border area. Aviation officials said the aircraft remained inside Pakistani airspace for less than two minutes before returning to Indian airspace.
The regulator stated that the incident was coordinated with Pakistani Air Traffic Control authorities and did not create any immediate safety risk. The aircraft was subsequently diverted back to Delhi and landed safely.
Air India confirmed the occurrence in an official statement, saying that the crew operating flight AI479 had “marginally infringed” Pakistani airspace while executing a go-around manoeuvre at Amritsar airport.
“The incident has been reported to the regulatory authorities and is being investigated internally. At Air India, the safety of passengers and crew remains top priority,” the airline said.
Preliminary reports indicate that congestion at Amritsar airport contributed to the situation. Several incoming flights had reportedly been instructed to hold due to operational constraints and runway inspections. Flight-tracking data showed AI479 circling near Amritsar before briefly crossing the international boundary.
Sources said the aircraft later returned to Delhi because of continued operational restrictions at Amritsar. After refuelling and necessary clearances, the flight subsequently departed again and completed its journey to Amritsar.
The DGCA has taken interim action against the operating crew and the concerned air traffic controller for allegedly failing to report the incident through prescribed channels. Officials confirmed that both the airline’s internal investigation and the regulator’s inquiry are underway.
According to aviation sources, Lahore Air Traffic Control detected the airspace deviation and coordinated with Indian authorities during the incident. The exact circumstances leading to the temporary airspace infringement will be determined after completion of the investigation.
The development comes amid continuing restrictions and heightened scrutiny of air operations along the India-Pakistan border region. Aviation experts note that any unauthorized entry into neighbouring airspace, even for a brief duration, is treated as a serious operational matter and is subject to detailed regulatory review.
No passengers or crew members were injured, and no security threat was reported in connection with the incident.
