Air India Flight Briefly Enters Pakistan Airspace During Landing Manoeuvre

An Air India flight operating from Delhi to Amritsar briefly drifted into Pakistani airspace on June 22, 2026. The aircraft inadvertently crossed the international border while executing a standard go-around safety manoeuvre near the Amritsar airport before returning to its designated route and touching down safely.

Air India said the crew of flight AI479 “marginally infringed” into Pakistan airspace while carrying out a go-around at the airport in Amritsar.

A commercial Air India jetliner deviated from its path during a domestic operation earlier this week. The incident occurred close to the heavily guarded international border in Punjab.

The national carrier confirmed on Wednesday that its service connecting Delhi to Amritsar entered Pakistani skies on June 22. The brief boundary breach took place as pilots managed landing configurations near the regional aviation hub.

Corporate leadership stated that flight AI479 “marginally infringed” into neighboring territory. The cockpit crew initiated the path deviation while managing an aborted landing sequence at the destination airfield. Air Traffic Control initially directed the pilots to maintain a holding pattern over 13 DME (Distance Measuring Equipment), but the jet subsequently drifted past the intended sector.

“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 official corporate briefing confirmed.

Management added that an official inquiry has commenced to review the navigation discrepancy. “The incident has been reported to the regulatory authorities and is being investigated internally. At Air India, the safety of passengers and crew remains our top priority.”

What is a go-around?

A go-around represents a fundamental safety protocol utilized throughout global commercial aviation.

Pilots routinely abort landing sequences to climb away from the runway environment for subsequent approach configurations.

Flight crews execute these maneuvers due to restricted visibility, hazardous weather, runway obstructions, traffic separation conflicts, or unstable descent profiles.

Regulatory bodies and airlines categorize the action as a standard risk-mitigation tool.

Commercial jets frequently shift away from standard arrival tracks during these procedures, which demands heightened precision near border zones.

The Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport sits near the frontier line, requiring exacting coordination between flight crews and regional controllers.

The airline statement reiterated that the flight team executed the go-around on June 22 as part of established safety protocols after abandoning their initial approach. The aircraft eventually steered back toward Indian territory, completing a safe landing at approximately 2:20 AM on Tuesday, nearly four hours after its scheduled arrival.

Investigation underway

The commercial transport returned to its authorized corridor and concluded its arrival without further complications.

Air India verified that aviation watchdogs received immediate notification regarding the border crossing, triggering concurrent internal reviews.

“The incident has been reported to the regulatory authorities and is being investigated internally. At Air India, the safety of passengers and crew remain top priority,” the operator stated.

The company withheld specific technical data regarding the exact atmospheric or mechanical factors that prompted the navigational drift.

Government investigators initiated an official assessment to compile the precise chronological timeline and establish why the flight crew crossed outside domestic boundaries.

The operational disruption occurred while strict airspace bans remain active, following a cross-border civilian aviation restriction renewed by Islamabad in May 2026.

This development follows an incident last month where a Pakistan International Airlines flight traversed Indian territory for several minutes due to severe weather conditions before controllers redirected it.

Historical Context

Civilian aviation operations along the India-Pakistan border require stringent adherence to flight corridors due to long-standing geopolitical sensitivities. Both nations maintain strict monitoring systems, and unauthorized border crossings typically trigger immediate military and diplomatic protocols.

To prevent defensive escalations, commercial air traffic controllers in Amritsar and Lahore operate with direct communication channels. Over the past decade, sudden weather anomalies, severe wind shear, and emergency go-arounds have occasionally pushed commercial flights across the international boundary, requiring rapid air traffic coordination to guide the aircraft back safely.

FAQs

What caused Air India flight AI479 to enter Pakistani airspace?

The aircraft entered Pakistani airspace after executing a go-around manoeuvre at Amritsar airport. Preliminary reports indicate the flight crew failed to follow specific Air Traffic Control instructions to hold over 13 DME, resulting in a left turn that crossed the international border.

Is a go-around dangerous for commercial flights?

No, a go-around is a routine safety procedure taught to all commercial pilots. It is executed when an initial landing approach becomes unstable or unsafe due to weather, poor visibility, or runway obstructions, allowing the crew to climb and reset for a safer second attempt.

How delayed was the Air India flight due to this incident?

The flight safely landed at Amritsar airport at approximately 2:20 AM, which was nearly four hours behind its original flight schedule.

Are there any active airspace restrictions between India and Pakistan?

Yes, strict restrictions remain in place for commercial flights utilizing specific cross-border routes, following an airspace ban that was extended by Pakistani authorities in May 2026.