DGCA Probes Air India Flight Intrusion Into Pakistan Airspace

An Air India flight, AI479, briefly entered Pakistani airspace during a go-around maneuver at Amritsar airport on the night of June 22. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated an investigation, placing the pilot off-duty and taking interim action against the air traffic controller responsible for the guidance during the incident.

The aircraft was performing a go-around after being asked to hold due to a runway inspection following a reported bird strike incident. During the radar vectoring and maneuvering process, the flight deviated from the designated holding pattern and crossed the International Border. Air India officials confirmed the "marginal infringement" and stated that the event was coordinated with Pakistani Air Traffic Control authorities to ensure safety before the flight successfully diverted to Delhi.

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of managing flight paths near sensitive borders, especially given that Pakistan has maintained a restricted airspace policy for Indian carriers since April 2025. The DGCA is now reviewing communication protocols and cockpit procedures to prevent future navigational lapses, with a focus on ensuring that air traffic control and flight crew maintain strict adherence to defined flight corridors in the sensitive border region.