An Air India flight operating from Delhi to Amritsar briefly entered Pakistani airspace while executing a standard go-around manoeuvre during its landing approach at Amritsar Airport on 22 June 2026, prompting an investigation by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
According to Air India and aviation authorities, Flight AI479, operated by an Airbus A321 aircraft, marginally crossed the international border near Attari and remained inside Pakistani airspace for less than two minutes before returning to Indian airspace.
The incident occurred amid heavy air traffic congestion at Amritsar Airport. Sources indicated that multiple aircraft had been instructed to enter a holding pattern, leading AI479 to perform a go-around during its approach.
The DGCA stated that the aircraft had initially been directed to hold due to a runway inspection following a bird-strike-related incident at the airport. During subsequent radar vectoring for landing, the aircraft briefly entered Pakistani airspace. Aviation authorities confirmed that the movement was coordinated with Pakistani Air Traffic Control (ATC).
Following the manoeuvre, continued congestion at Amritsar reportedly prompted the crew to divert the flight back to Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, where it landed safely. After refuelling, the aircraft later resumed its journey and successfully completed its flight to Amritsar the same evening.
In an official statement, Air India acknowledged the occurrence and said the matter had been reported to the relevant regulatory authorities.
“The crew operating flight AI479 from Delhi to Amritsar on 22 June had marginally infringed into Pakistan airspace while manoeuvring a go-around at Amritsar Airport,” the airline stated, adding that an internal investigation has been initiated.
The DGCA has also launched its own inquiry into the incident. According to officials, interim action has been taken against the concerned air traffic controller and the operating crew for failing to report the event through prescribed channels.
Authorities have clarified that the brief airspace infringement did not pose any immediate safety or security threat and was handled through established aviation coordination procedures.
Interestingly, the incident comes less than two weeks after a Pakistani commercial aircraft, Fly Jinnah flight 9P514, briefly entered Indian airspace over Punjab on 12 June while deviating from its route to avoid adverse weather conditions. That event was similarly deemed non-threatening and was attributed to operational requirements.
Aviation authorities are expected to review the findings of the investigation to determine whether any procedural lapses occurred and to identify measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The episode highlights the complexities of air traffic management in border regions, where operational contingencies, weather conditions and airport congestion can occasionally require rapid coordination between neighbouring air traffic control authorities.
