Air India Pilot Removed After Pakistan Airspace Breach

An Air India pilot has been removed from duty after an Airbus A321 aircraft operating a domestic flight from New Delhi to Amritsar briefly entered Pakistani airspace during a landing attempt, prompting an investigation by Indian aviation authorities and disciplinary action against several personnel.

The incident occurred on the night of 22 June and involved Air India flight AI479, which was travelling from India’s capital to the northern city of Amritsar in Punjab. According to India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aircraft was preparing to land at Amritsar Airport when it was instructed to remain airborne due to operational issues on the ground.

The disruption stemmed from an earlier bird-strike incident involving an IndiGo flight that had landed at Amritsar at approximately 4:29 pm the same day. Following the bird strike, runway inspections and related safety procedures were carried out, affecting airport operations and causing delays for several incoming aircraft.

As a result, at least five arriving flights were instructed to hold before receiving clearance to land. Air India flight AI479 was the fourth aircraft in the sequence awaiting an opportunity to approach the airport.

The DGCA said that at around 10:08 pm, whilst following radar-guided instructions during the landing process, the aircraft inadvertently crossed into Pakistani airspace for a short period. Aviation authorities from both countries coordinated through air traffic control channels to manage the situation and ensure the aircraft’s safe operation.

Air India later confirmed the incident in a statement, saying the airspace violation occurred unintentionally during a “go-around” manoeuvre at Amritsar Airport. A go-around is a standard aviation safety procedure in which pilots abort a landing attempt and climb away from the runway when conditions are unsuitable for a safe landing.

The airline stated that the matter had been reported to the relevant authorities and that an internal investigation had been launched to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

According to reports in Indian media, the aircraft entered Pakistani airspace by approximately three miles before corrective action was taken. No safety threat or confrontation was reported during the brief incursion, and the situation was resolved through established aviation communication procedures.

The aircraft was subsequently diverted back to Delhi, where it landed safely. Airport sources indicated that a second attempt to land in Amritsar proved unsuccessful and that fuel considerations played a role in the decision to return to the capital. The same aircraft later departed again for Amritsar and eventually completed its journey without further incident.

The DGCA has reportedly taken disciplinary measures not only against the pilot and flight crew but also against an air traffic controller based in Amritsar. Authorities said action was necessary because the incident was not reported within the required timeframe.

Airport officials also disclosed that Amritsar Airport’s approach surveillance service was unavailable at the time of the incident. Such systems assist controllers in monitoring and guiding aircraft during arrival and departure operations, particularly in busy or complex airspace environments. Investigators are expected to examine whether the absence of the service contributed to the sequence of events.

The incident has drawn attention within India’s aviation sector, where adherence to airspace regulations and timely reporting of operational irregularities are considered essential elements of flight safety. While accidental airspace incursions are rare, they are treated seriously by regulators because of their potential implications for aviation security and international coordination.

The ongoing investigations by both Air India and the DGCA are expected to focus on operational decision-making, communication procedures and compliance with reporting requirements. The findings may also lead to recommendations aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future.

Although the aircraft ultimately landed safely and no passengers were harmed, the episode has underscored the importance of rigorous coordination between pilots, air traffic controllers and aviation authorities, particularly in regions where international airspace boundaries lie close to major flight routes.