AI flight enters Pak airspace on go-around, returns safely

An Air India flight operating from Delhi to Amritsar reportedly strayed into Pakistani airspace on Monday night while carrying out a go-around manoeuvre at Amritsar airport on June 22. The aircraft, an Airbus A321 (Flight AI-479), safely returned to Indian airspace after receiving a warning from Lahore Air Traffic Control (ATC) and later landed in Amritsar after a brief diversion back to the national capital.

According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), interim action has been taken against the concerned Air traffic controller at Amritsar and the operating crew for non-reporting of the event pending an investigation.

“On 22.06.2026, Air India Airbus 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 the Pakistan ATC Authorities. The aircraft finally diverted back to Delhi and safely landed at Delhi,” the regulator said in a statement.

Earlier, in a statement, Air India said the crew operating flight AI479 from Delhi to Amritsar on 22 June had marginally infringed on 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. At Air India, the safety of passengers and crew remains top priority,” the airline said.

According to preliminary information, the aircraft was initially instructed by Air Traffic Control (ATC) to hold over 13 DME (Distance Measuring Equipment). However, it continued towards AAR, took a left turn and crossed the International Border (IB), resulting in a brief entry into Pakistani airspace. The aircraft was unable to follow ATC instructions during the manoeuvre and subsequently crossed the border.

Sources said the Airbus A321 departed Delhi at approximately 9.18 pm and, instead of landing at Amritsar’s Sri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport, drifted toward the international border into Pakistani airspace. Upon detection, Lahore ATC alerted the pilot, after which the aircraft executed a U-turn.

Instead of landing at Amritsar, the flight was diverted back to Delhi due to heavy air traffic. It later departed again from Delhi and landed in Amritsar at around 2.10 am on June 24.

The incident occurred because of heavy congestion at Amritsar airport. Multiple aircraft were asked to remain in a holding pattern before landing, prompting AI479 to execute a go-around after its approach. During the manoeuvre, the aircraft briefly entered Pakistani airspace before immediately returning to Indian airspace, sources said.

The development comes a month after a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight briefly entered Indian airspace due to adverse weather before being guided back to its designated route by Indian air traffic controllers. While military tensions have eased between the two neighbouring countries, diplomatic relations remain strained, with both sides continuing with retaliatory measures introduced during the crisis.