The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered an investigation after an Air India flight from Delhi to Amritsar briefly entered Pakistani airspace during its approach to Amritsar airport before returning safely to India.
According to the aviation regulator, the incident occurred while Flight AI479, operated by an Airbus A321 aircraft registered VT-PPV, was carrying out an approach to Amritsar. The occurrence comes at a time when India and Pakistan have suspended access to each other's airspace for commercial airlines.
The DGCA has also initiated interim action against both the Amritsar air traffic controller and the operating crew for failing to report the airspace infringement. The regulator clarified that the action relates to the reporting lapse rather than the aircraft's entry into restricted airspace.
According to the DGCA, the aircraft had initially been instructed to hold its approach while runway inspections were carried out following a bird strike-related incident at Amritsar airport.
After the approach resumed, the aircraft briefly entered Pakistani airspace during radar vectoring while following instructions issued by air traffic controllers.
The regulator said the movement was coordinated with Pakistani air traffic control authorities before the aircraft was diverted back to Delhi, where it landed safely.
The DGCA is now examining the sequence of operational events as part of its investigation.
Air India acknowledged the incident in a statement, describing the event as a "marginal" infringement of Pakistani airspace during a go-around procedure at Amritsar.
The airline said the occurrence has been reported to the aviation regulator and is also being investigated internally.
According to the airline, passenger and crew safety remained its highest priority throughout the event.
The regulatory inquiry is expected to determine whether established operational and reporting procedures were followed by both the flight crew and air traffic control personnel.
The DGCA has not disclosed the nature of the interim action initiated against those involved.
According to a senior government official quoted by ThePrint, civil aviation authorities from both countries may communicate during exceptional circumstances when passenger safety is involved, despite the reciprocal closure of airspace.
The official said coordination between aviation authorities remains possible when required to ensure operational safety.
The occurrence comes less than two weeks after three Pakistan-linked commercial flights briefly crossed into Indian airspace while avoiding severe weather over Punjab.
According to flight-tracking data cited by ThePrint, the aircraft involved included:
The crossings occurred on 12 June during adverse weather conditions.
Both countries have barred each other's airlines from using their airspace following the deterioration in bilateral relations after the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent military conflict in May.
Captain C.S. Randhawa, former pilot and president of the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP), told ThePrint that aircraft are generally prohibited from entering another country's airspace without clearance, except during exceptional situations such as serious onboard emergencies.
He said any entry into restricted airspace requires permission from the relevant air traffic control authority and noted that even civilian aircraft movements can raise security concerns when operating near sensitive international borders.
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