An Air India flight operating from Delhi to Amritsar briefly entered Pakistani airspace while executing a standard go-around maneuver during its landing approach at Amritsar Airport on June 22, 2026. This unexpected occurrence has prompted an investigation by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Flight AI479, operated by an Airbus A321 aircraft, marginally crossed the international border near Attari and remained within Pakistani airspace for less than two minutes before returning to Indian territory. Sources indicate that the incident coincided with heavy air traffic congestion at Amritsar Airport, where multiple aircraft were instructed to follow holding patterns, leading to the go-around maneuver by AI479.
According to the DGCA, the aircraft was initially directed to hold off landing due to a runway inspection prompted by a recent bird-strike incident at the airport. As radar vectoring was used for the aircraft’s landing, it inadvertently entered Pakistani airspace. Aviation authorities reported that this movement was coordinated with Pakistani Air Traffic Control (ATC).
Following the maneuver, persistent congestion at Amritsar Airport led the flight crew to divert back to Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, where the aircraft landed safely. After refueling, the flight resumed its journey and successfully reached Amritsar later that same evening.
Air India confirmed the incident and stated that it had been reported to the appropriate regulatory authorities. The airline acknowledged that the crew operating flight AI479 “marginally infringed” into Pakistani airspace during the go-around procedure and has initiated an internal investigation.
In response, the DGCA has launched its own inquiry into the matter. Officials have indicated that interim actions have been taken against the relevant air traffic controller and the operating crew for failing to report the event through the required channels.
Authorities stressed that the brief airspace infringement posed no immediate safety or security threats and was managed according to established aviation coordination procedures. This incident is notable as it follows closely a similar occurrence involving a Pakistani commercial aircraft, Fly Jinnah flight 9P514, which briefly entered Indian airspace over Punjab on June 12 to avoid adverse weather conditions. That situation was also deemed non-threatening and attributed to operational requirements.
Aviation authorities are expected to undertake a thorough review of the investigation outcomes to assess whether any procedural lapses contributed to the incident. This episode underscores the intricate challenges faced in managing air traffic in border regions, where operational necessities, inclement weather, and airport congestion can require swift coordination between neighboring air traffic control entities.
