Air India flight "marginally infringed" on Pakistan airspace, action taken against crew for "non-reporting" of event; probe on
New Delhi, June 24
An Air India flight travelling from Delhi to Amritsar had "marginally infringed" on the Pakistan airspace while "manoeuvring a go-around at Amritsar airport" on Monday, the airline said. The aviation regulator has taken the "interim action" against the concerned Air traffic controller and the operating crew for "non-reporting of the event."
In a press statement, Air India noted that the incident has been reported to the regulatory authorities and is being investigated internally.
"The crew operating flight AI479 from Delhi to Amritsar on 22 June had marginally infringed on the Pakistan airspace while manoeuvring a go-around at Amritsar airport. 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 stated.
According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the event was promptly coordinated with Pakistan Air Traffic Control (ATC) authorities. Following the incident, the aircraft diverted and landed safely back in Delhi.
In a separate press statement, the DGCA noted, "On 22.06.2026, Air India Airbus 321 Aircraft VT-PPV operating flight AI 479 (Delhi - Amritsar) during approach was asked to hold due to runway inspection post a bird strike incident. After the aircraft commenced approach during radar vectoring, the aircraft briefly entered the Pakistan airspace. The event was coordinated with the Pakistan ATC Authorities. The aircraft finally diverted back to Delhi and safely landed at Delhi."
"Interim action has been taken against the concerned Air traffic controller at Amritsar and the operating crew for non-reporting of the event," the DGCA added.
Earlier last week, an Air India flight operating from Delhi to Raipur was hit by a bird during its landing at Raipur Airport, airport officials said.
According to the Raipur Airport Authority, the aircraft experienced a bird hit while approaching the runway for landing. Following the incident, the flight crew carried out all mandatory Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as per safety protocol.
Officials further confirmed that after necessary inspection and clearance, the aircraft was declared safe for further operation. The flight subsequently took off from Raipur to its onward destination.
No injuries were reported among passengers or crew members in the incident, the airport authority added.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Honestly, blaming the crew alone seems harsh. The ATC at Amritsar should have guided properly, especially during a go-around after a bird strike. Both sides need accountability. But yes, non-reporting is a big red flag. Let's hope the investigation reveals the full picture. 🤔
At least the aircraft landed safely in Delhi and Pakistan ATC was coordinated with promptly. Could have been worse! But this highlights why we need better ATC coordination at sensitive borders. India should invest in more robust radar systems to prevent such mishaps. Safety of passengers is paramount. 🙏
It's concerning that the crew didn't report this incident. Transparency is key in aviation. Kudos to DGCA for acting swiftly, but I hope the internal investigation doesn't whitewash anything. A minor infringement today could be a major crisis tomorrow if not addressed properly.
Look, mistakes happen, especially during emergency go-arounds after bird strikes. But non-reporting is a serious issue. The crew and ATC should have immediately informed supervisors. Let's not forget the strain these professionals work under though. Hope they get a fair chance to explain. 🙏
As an aviation enthusiast, I must say this is a classic case of operational pressure leading to error. The AIP (Aeronautical Information Publication) clearly defines borders. Why did the crew not have better situational awareness? And why are we seeing so many bird strikes lately? Need for better wildlife management at airports too! ✈️
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