An Air India domestic flight from Delhi to Amritsar briefly entered Pakistani airspace during a landing manoeuvre, prompting an internal investigation and regulatory scrutiny over flight path management near one of South Asia’s most sensitive borders.
The airline confirmed that flight AI479, operated by an Airbus A321, “marginally infringed” into Pakistani airspace while carrying out a go-around near Amritsar airport in the early hours of June 22. The incident has now been formally reported to India’s aviation regulator, with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation expected to review the full sequence of events.
The development has drawn attention because Pakistani airspace remains closed to Indian airlines under current bilateral restrictions, making even a brief unintentional crossing a matter of operational and diplomatic significance.
What Happened
According to preliminary findings, AI479 was approaching Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar when the crew was instructed by Air Traffic Control to hold at 13 DME, a standard navigational reference used to manage landing sequencing and aircraft spacing.
Instead of remaining in the assigned hold, the aircraft continued toward the Amritsar approach corridor. During the sequence, the pilots initiated a go-around, a standard aviation safety manoeuvre used when an approach is unstable or unsafe.
It was during this go-around that the aircraft briefly crossed into Pakistani-controlled airspace near Lahore before returning to Indian airspace and landing safely in Amritsar.
The flight reportedly landed at around 2:20 AM, nearly four hours behind schedule.
In its official statement, Air India said:
“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 has not disclosed how long the aircraft remained in Pakistani airspace or the precise distance it crossed.
Lahore Alert
Reports indicate that Lahore Air Traffic Control detected the aircraft’s movement and immediately alerted either Indian aviation authorities or the crew, allowing corrective action to be taken quickly.
That detail is significant because any unscheduled entry into sovereign airspace is treated seriously under international aviation protocols, particularly in politically sensitive regions.
The India-Pakistan border air corridor is monitored continuously by both civilian and military radar systems. Any deviation, however brief, is immediately flagged.
A former senior Indian aviation official said such incidents are rare but not unprecedented.
“Such infringements are uncommon, but the speed of correction is what matters most in these situations.”
Pakistan has not yet issued an official statement on the incident.
Why It Matters
The incident may have lasted only moments, but its geopolitical significance is far greater.
Pakistan’s continued airspace closure to Indian-operated aircraft has already disrupted multiple international routes, forcing Indian airlines to take longer flight paths and increasing fuel costs.
For a domestic Air India flight to briefly enter that restricted zone introduces both operational and diplomatic questions.
Aviation analysts say accidental airspace violations are typically treated as technical matters, but in regions with active political tension they can trigger heightened scrutiny.
The Amritsar-Lahore air corridor is one of the most tightly controlled aviation sectors in South Asia because of its close proximity to strategic military zones and the international border.
This makes navigational precision essential during approach and landing procedures.
Safety Probe
Air India has stressed that passenger safety was never compromised.
“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.
In aviation, go-arounds are common safety procedures designed to avoid risky landings caused by unstable descent patterns, runway occupancy, weather issues or visibility concerns.
But the central question investigators now face is why the go-around path resulted in an unintended crossing into restricted foreign airspace.
Officials are expected to examine cockpit communication records, flight data logs, navigation inputs and air traffic instructions to determine whether the incident was caused by human error, navigational miscalculation or other operational factors.
The DGCA is expected to conduct a detailed review of the full radar track.
Bigger Pressure
The incident comes at a sensitive time for Air India as it continues its major operational transformation under the Tata Group.
The airline is undergoing rapid fleet expansion, network restructuring and service upgrades while also navigating regional airspace disruptions.
Safety experts say procedural discipline becomes even more critical during such transitions.
“Border-adjacent airports demand absolute navigation precision. Even a small deviation can become a major regulatory issue,” said an aviation consultant based in New Delhi.
It remains unclear whether the pilots involved have been removed from active duty pending the investigation.
For passengers, the incident is unlikely to affect normal operations. But for regulators and airline management, it serves as a reminder of how quickly a routine aviation manoeuvre can become a matter of international significance.
The final findings of the investigation will determine whether this was a minor navigational error or evidence of wider procedural vulnerabilities in operating near one of the world’s most politically sensitive airspaces.
