An Air India pilot has been dismissed after a passenger aircraft from Delhi to Amritsar accidentally entered Pakistan’s airspace on June 22, according to India’s civil aviation regulator DGCA. The Airbus A321 was instructed by air traffic control to hold in the air due to a bird strike inspection at Amritsar airport. During this holding pattern, at 10:08 p.m., the aircraft briefly crossed into Pakistani airspace before returning safely to Delhi.

DGCA stated that the aircraft entered Pakistani airspace for a short time while attempting to land under radar vectoring and that coordination was made with Pakistan’s air traffic control. The incident was not immediately reported, leading to disciplinary action against the pilot and an Amritsar air traffic controller. Air India confirmed the airspace violation and said an internal investigation is underway.

Airport officials said the incident occurred when Amritsar’s approach surveillance service was offline. After returning from Pakistani airspace, the flight diverted to Delhi due to low fuel and later completed its journey successfully.