Amritsar: An Air India flight from Delhi to Amritsar briefly entered Pakistani airspace while performing a go-around manoeuvre at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar on June 22, the airline said in a statement on Wednesday (June 24). The airline said the matter has been reported to the relevant aviation authorities, and an internal investigation has been initiated.
Air India statement
Air India, in a statement, said, “The crew operating flight AI479 from Delhi to Amritsar on 22 June had marginally infringed into the Pakistan airspace while manoeuvring a go-around at Amritsar airport. The incident has been reported to the regulatory authorities and is being investigated internally.”
The airline underlined that the safety of passengers and crew remains its top priority. “At Air India, the safety of passengers and crew remains top priority,” it added.
DGCA issues statement
In a statement, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said an Air India Airbus A321 aircraft operating flight AI 479 was instructed to enter a holding pattern because runway inspections were being carried out following a bird-strike incident.
The regulator said the event was coordinated with Pakistani air traffic control authorities. The aircraft was later diverted back to Indira Gandhi International Airport and landed safely in Delhi.
“On 22.06.2026 Air India Air bus 321 Aircraft VT‑PPV operating flight AI 479 (Delhi – Amritsar) during approach was asked to hold due to runway inspection post a bird strike incident. After the aircraft commenced approach during radar vectoring the aircraft briefly entered the Pakistan airspace. The event was coordinated with Pakistan ATC Authorities. The aircraft finally diverted back to Delhi and safely landed at Delhi. Interim action has been taken against concerned Air traffic controller at Amritsar and the operating crew for non reporting of the event,” the DGCA said.
The incident comes against the backdrop of airspace restrictions imposed in April 2025, a day after terrorists killed 26 people in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, leading to a stand-off between the two nuclear-powered countries, which culminated in a four-day military conflict.
