Delhi-Amritsar Air India flight briefly crosses into Pakistan airspace, probe ordered
text_fields
New Delhi: An Air India flight operating from Delhi to Amritsar briefly entered Pakistani airspace while carrying out a go-around manoeuvre during its approach to Amritsar airport on Monday, the airline said.
The incident involved flight AI479, which was landing at Amritsar when the aircraft had to perform the go-around procedure.
Air India said the aircraft’s crew marginally infringed Pakistani airspace while manoeuvring during the go-around. The airline confirmed that the matter has been reported to the relevant regulatory authorities and is also being investigated internally.
The airline said passenger and crew safety remained its highest priority.
Pakistan’s airspace continues to remain closed to all Indian-registered, owned or leased aircraft, including civilian and military flights. The restriction was initially imposed after the terror attack on Indian tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, followed by rising tensions along the border in April 2025. Pakistan has since extended the ban on a monthly basis.
India has also maintained a reciprocal restriction preventing Pakistani aircraft from using Indian airspace.
Earlier this month, Pakistan extended the ban on Indian civil and military aircraft until July 24. According to a notice issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority, the restriction would remain in force from 5:50 p.m. on June 16 until 4:59 a.m. on July 24.
The continued airspace restrictions have forced Indian airlines, including Air India and IndiGo, to operate longer alternative routes for international flights to Europe, Central Asia and North America.
With direct access through Pakistan’s northern corridor unavailable, flights travelling west and north are being diverted over the Arabian Sea and through routes involving the UAE, Oman or other alternate corridors.
The longer routes require aircraft to carry additional fuel, reducing passenger and cargo capacity. The diversions have increased operational costs for airlines by tens of millions and may also contribute to higher airfares.
Amid the Pakistani airspace restrictions and wider conflicts in West Asia, Indian carriers have at times been forced to temporarily suspend certain international services to Central Asian destinations, including Almaty and Tashkent.
With IANS inputs