Instead of landing at Amritsar, the flight was diverted back to Delhi due to heavy air traffic. It later departed again from Delhi and landed in Amritsar at around 2.10am on June 24. AMRITSAR: Air India flight AI 479, flying from Delhi to Amritsar, reportedly strayed into Pakistani airspace on Tuesday night before returning safely after receiving a warning from Lahore Air Traffic Control (ATC).The Airbus A321 departed Delhi at approximately 9.18pm and, instead of landing at Amritsar’s Sri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport, drifted toward the international border into Pakistani airspace. Upon detection, Lahore ATC alerted the pilot, after which the aircraft executed a U-turn.Instead of landing at Amritsar, the flight was diverted back to Delhi due to heavy air traffic. It later departed again from Delhi and landed in Amritsar at around 2.10am on June 24.There was no official statement from the Amritsar airport director. An official, speaking on condition of anonymity, downplayed the incident. Instead of clarifying whether the aircraft actually entered Pakistani airspace, he simply said that it flew “within a mile or so” of the international border, leaving its exact position unconfirmed.But at the same time, the official added that the flight’s movements were coordinated with Lahore ATC and that the diversion to Delhi was a result of congestion at Amritsar. The aircraft was refueled in Delhi before continuing to Amritsar.The official also said that such occurrences are not uncommon and that Pakistani passenger aircraft have, at times, flown inside the Indian airspace or near the international border and are similarly coordinated and redirected.Sources indicated that an investigation has been initiated to determine the precise cause of the route deviation.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia Set To Restart ₹915 Crore RITES Project Railway Coach Exports To BangladeshAdani Mundra Airport Starts Commercial Operations As First Star Air Flight Lands From GoaNew Book Reveals Trump Rejected Proposal To Send Indian Peacekeepers To UkraineHyderabad Gets ‘Donald Trump Avenue’ As Telangana Renames Road Outside US ConsulateSindhi Community Raises Concerns Over Utilisation Of 200 Kg Silver Donation Made For Ram MandirIndia Hits Back At Pakistan At UN, Reaffirms Jammu & Kashmir Is Strictly An Internal MatterMumbai Faces Widespread Waterlogging As Delayed Monsoon Arrival Brings Heavy Rain And DisruptionsAkhilesh Yadav Says BJP Using Mohan Yadav Land Allegations To Prepare Chief Ministerial ChangesIndia-US Partnership Will Shape The Coming Decades, Says US EnvoyQatar Emir Speaks To PM Modi, Offers Condolences After Ras Laffan Blast123PhotostoriesPsychology says Indian women who love staying at home often share these 11 unique traitsSara Ali Khan gives Princess Diana’s ‘Revenge Dress’ a 2026 upgrade in front of the British royaltyLove desserts? Psychology says it could say something interesting about your personalityParenting looks completely different here: 5 countries that raise independent kids from an early ageWhat is Snake Soup, does it have venom and reasons why Chinese still consume itMumbai–Bengaluru Vande Bharat corridor: 5 destinations worth exploring along the routeWhat is FAFO parenting? The viral trend that every Indian parent has already been doing without knowing itMarriage, divorce, dating: Trisha’s honest take on relationships10 countries where travellers will find the people with the highest IQCan loneliness be prescribed away? Psychiatrist explains what actually works to build emotional resilience123Hot PicksPunjab police admit cardDevina GahlotDonald Trump avenueMumbai rainsCBSE 12th revaluationBihar school timingsSpanish proverbAfghan proverbPortuguese proverbTop TrendingDelhi Rape MurderUS-Iran WarITR filing 2025-26FIFA World Cup 2026England vs Ghana FIFA World Cup ResultICAI CA Inter May resultLucknow coaching fireGold rate todayWho was Ketan AgarwalMumbai rain
AMRITSAR: Air India flight AI 479, flying from Delhi to Amritsar, reportedly strayed into Pakistani airspace on Tuesday night before returning safely after receiving a warning from Lahore Air Traffic Control (ATC).The Airbus A321 departed Delhi at approximately 9.18pm and, instead of landing at Amritsar’s Sri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport, drifted toward the international border into Pakistani airspace. Upon detection, Lahore ATC alerted the pilot, after which the aircraft executed a U-turn.Instead of landing at Amritsar, the flight was diverted back to Delhi due to heavy air traffic. It later departed again from Delhi and landed in Amritsar at around 2.10am on June 24.There was no official statement from the Amritsar airport director. An official, speaking on condition of anonymity, downplayed the incident. Instead of clarifying whether the aircraft actually entered Pakistani airspace, he simply said that it flew “within a mile or so” of the international border, leaving its exact position unconfirmed.But at the same time, the official added that the flight’s movements were coordinated with Lahore ATC and that the diversion to Delhi was a result of congestion at Amritsar. The aircraft was refueled in Delhi before continuing to Amritsar.The official also said that such occurrences are not uncommon and that Pakistani passenger aircraft have, at times, flown inside the Indian airspace or near the international border and are similarly coordinated and redirected.Sources indicated that an investigation has been initiated to determine the precise cause of the route deviation.
