Air India Flight Briefly Enters Pakistani Airspace During Amritsar Go-Around
New Delhi — An Air India flight from Delhi to Amritsar briefly entered Pakistani airspace while performing a go-around maneuver at Amritsar airport, prompting an internal investigation and a report to aviation regulators.
The incident involved flight AI479 during its approach to Amritsar on Monday, the Tata Group-owned airline said.
“The crew operating flight AI479 from Delhi to Amritsar on 22 June had marginally infringed into the Pakistan airspace while manoeuvring a go-around at Amritsar airport,” Air India said.
A go-around occurs when pilots discontinue a landing approach and climb away from the runway before making another attempt or diverting to another airport.
Air India said it had notified the appropriate regulatory authorities and was conducting its own review.
“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.
Pakistan’s airspace remains closed to aircraft registered, owned or leased in India, including civilian and military flights.
The restriction was introduced following the terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, and escalating tensions along the border in April 2025. Pakistan has since extended the closure on a monthly basis, while India maintains a reciprocal prohibition on Pakistani aircraft using its airspace.
Pakistan earlier this month extended its ban on Indian civilian and military aircraft through July 24.
“The ban on Indian aircraft — both civil and military — will remain in effect from 5.50 p.m. June 16 until 4.59 a.m. July 24,” the Pakistan Airports Authority said in a notice issued last week.
The closure has forced Indian airlines, including Air India and IndiGo, to use longer routes for flights to Europe, Central Asia and North America.
Without access to the direct northern corridor, westbound and northbound flights must travel over the Arabian Sea and pass through the United Arab Emirates, Oman or other alternative air corridors.
The detours increase flying times and fuel requirements, limiting the amount of passenger baggage or cargo that aircraft can carry. They have also imposed significant additional costs on airlines and could contribute to higher ticket prices.
The combination of Pakistan’s airspace restrictions and continuing conflicts in West Asia has also led Indian carriers to temporarily suspend some flights to Central Asian destinations, including Almaty and Tashkent. (Source: IANS)
