3 Pakistani flights entered Indian airspace during storm emergency days before Air India crossed into Pak

Flight-tracking data from Flightradar24 has revealed that at least three Pakistani commercial aircraft entered Indian airspace on June 12 after severe weather disrupted operations around Lahore. The crossings occurred more than a week before an Air India aircraft briefly entered Pakistani airspace while performing a go-around manoeuvre over Amritsar.

According to flight records, the aircraft involved were two Fly Jinnah flights operating on the Lahore–Dubai and Lahore–Jeddah routes, along with an Air Sial flight travelling from Dammam to Lahore.

The diversions occurred after a powerful windstorm and turbulent conditions swept across Pakistan's Punjab province. To avoid dangerous storm cells, the aircraft temporarily crossed into Indian airspace while navigating safer flight paths around the weather system.

One of the aircraft reportedly remained within Indian airspace for more than 15 minutes before returning to its planned route. Aviation sources cited by Pakistani media said air traffic control units in Lahore and Amritsar remained in constant communication throughout the operation to ensure passenger safety and maintain safe separation between aircraft.

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Air India incident days later

The disclosures come days after an Air India flight briefly entered Pakistani airspace under different circumstances.

On June 22, Air India flight AI479 from Delhi to Amritsar crossed the International Border near Wagah while performing a standard go-around procedure after an unsuccessful landing attempt at Amritsar airport.

According to flight-tracking data, the aircraft circled over Amritsar before briefly entering Pakistani airspace at around 9:38 pm IST. The airline said the aircraft remained over Pakistani territory for roughly one minute before returning to Indian airspace.

Unable to complete a safe landing, the flight later returned to Delhi. Air India has since launched an investigation into the incident.

The incidents are notable because India and Pakistan currently maintain restrictions on each other's airlines following heightened military tensions triggered by the Pahalgam terror attack last year.

While routine commercial overflights remain restricted, international aviation rules require neighbouring air traffic control authorities to cooperate during emergencies, including severe weather events and safety-related flight manoeuvres.