Air India Crew and ATC Face DGCA Action Over Pakistan Airspace Breach
An Air India flight accidentally entered restricted Pakistan airspace during a go-around maneuver at Amritsar airport. The DGCA has grounded the operating crew and the air traffic controller for failing to report the incident, which is now undergoing a formal investigation.
Highlights
- •Air India flight AI479 accidentally entered Pakistan airspace during a go-around at Amritsar.
- •DGCA has initiated disciplinary action against the operating flight crew and the Amritsar ATC.
- •The aircraft safely diverted to New Delhi before eventually landing in Amritsar later that night.
- •The incident is under investigation due to a failure to report the airspace breach.
Regulatory authorities have launched an investigation following an incident involving an Air India aircraft that inadvertently entered Pakistan airspace. The event occurred on the night of June 22, 2026, while the flight, identified as AI479, was attempting a go-around maneuver at Amritsar airport. The aviation regulator, the DGCA, has confirmed that interim disciplinary action has been initiated against the Amritsar air traffic controller (ATC) and the airline's flight crew for failing to report the breach.
Details of the Airspace Infringement
According to official reports, the Air India flight, registered as VT-PPV, was performing a routine approach when it was instructed to hold position. This instruction was issued due to an ongoing runway inspection necessitated by a recent bird strike incident. During this period of radar vectoring and maneuvering, the aircraft marginally strayed into the restricted Pakistan airspace.
Aviation safety protocols strictly govern operations near international borders, particularly given that Pakistan has maintained a closed airspace policy for Indian carriers since April 2025. The DGCA stated that the event was coordinated with the relevant Pakistan ATC authorities to ensure safety. Following the maneuver, the aircraft successfully diverted back to New Delhi, where it landed safely.
Internal Investigation and Regulatory Response
The airline has officially confirmed that the incident has been reported to the appropriate regulatory bodies. In addition to the external oversight by the DGCA, the carrier is conducting an internal investigation to determine the exact circumstances that led to the navigation error and the subsequent failure to report the airspace infringement promptly.
While the aircraft eventually returned to New Delhi, it later completed its journey to Amritsar, landing safely after 10:00 PM that same night. The incident has raised concerns regarding air traffic management and crew coordination during emergency maneuvering at the Amritsar airport. The regulator's decision to ground the involved personnel highlights the severity with which such border-related navigation errors are treated in the aviation industry. Further updates on the disciplinary proceedings are expected as the DGCA investigation progresses.
