Air India Flight AI479 Briefly Enters Pakistan Airspace Near Amritsar, DGCA Launches Probe

An Air India flight operating from Delhi to Amritsar briefly entered Pakistan's airspace while executing a go-around manoeuvre near Amritsar airport, prompting regulatory action against both the operating crew and an air traffic controller for failing to report the incident.

According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) , the incident occurred on the night of June 22 involving Flight AI479 . The aircraft had commenced its approach to Amritsar when it was instructed to hold due to a runway inspection following a bird-strike-related incident.

During the subsequent radar-vectoring procedure and go-around manoeuvre, the aircraft marginally infringed Pakistani airspace , the regulator said. The event was coordinated with Pakistani air traffic control authorities, and the aircraft later diverted to Delhi, where it landed safely.

The flight subsequently departed Delhi again and completed its journey to Amritsar later that night.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the DGCA said it had taken interim action against the Amritsar air traffic controller as well as the airline's operating crew for non-reporting of the occurrence , though it did not disclose the nature of the action.

Air India confirmed the incident, stating that the aircraft had briefly entered Pakistani airspace while manoeuvring during the go-around. The airline said the matter had been reported to regulatory authorities and that an internal investigation was underway.

The incident has drawn attention because Pakistan has barred Indian airlines from using its airspace since April 2025 , making any inadvertent airspace infringement particularly sensitive.

An air traffic controller (ATC) plays a critical role in managing aircraft movements on the ground and in the air. Controllers provide instructions on routing, altitude, sequencing, and separation to ensure safe operations, especially in busy or restricted airspace. They are also responsible for promptly reporting significant operational or safety-related incidents to the appropriate authorities.