Flight AI-479 reportedly entered restricted Pakistani airspace after a navigation system malfunction, triggering an alert before safely returning to India.
June 24, 2026: An Air India flight travelling from Delhi to Amritsar reportedly entered Pakistani airspace on the night of June 22 after experiencing a technical malfunction that affected its navigation system. Flight AI-479 departed Delhi at 9:18 pm and was scheduled to arrive in Amritsar at 10:30 pm. However, the aircraft allegedly deviated from its designated route and entered the Lahore Flight Information Region, despite Pakistan’s continued ban on Indian-registered aircraft using its airspace.
According to reports, Pakistani air traffic controllers immediately alerted the flight crew after detecting the aircraft inside restricted airspace. Airport sources stated that the plane travelled only about one-and-a-half miles into Pakistani territory before correcting its course and returning to Indian airspace. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the reported navigation failure.
After re-entering Indian airspace, the aircraft faced further delays due to increased air traffic around Amritsar Airport. Unable to secure immediate landing clearance, the flight remained airborne before being directed back to Delhi. Following a two-hour halt in the capital, the aircraft resumed its journey and landed safely in Amritsar at around 2:20 am, resulting in a delay of nearly four hours for passengers.