Suspected drones were spotted near Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar late Sunday night, prompting authorities to temporarily suspend runway operations as a security precaution. The incident disrupted flight schedules, with three incoming flights diverted to Delhi and Chandigarh.
The reported drone activity raised security concerns around the airport and caused inconvenience to passengers travelling to Amritsar. Security arrangements were reviewed following the sightings, while further details about the source of the drones awaited official confirmation.
Three incoming flights diverted
Three flights scheduled to arrive at Amritsar airport were diverted following the reported drone activity.
Air India flight AI-855, arriving from Delhi, was sent back to Delhi. IndiGo flight 6E-5028, travelling from Mumbai to Amritsar, was diverted to Chandigarh. Meanwhile, Malaysia Airlines flight MH-118, arriving from Kuala Lumpur, was diverted to Delhi.
The diversions disrupted passengers' travel plans, leaving several travellers stranded at the airport. The sudden changes reportedly led to confusion among passengers who were waiting for information about their flights and onward travel arrangements.
Passengers raise concerns over communication
Several passengers reportedly expressed anger over the disruption, alleging that airport officials were not available to provide clear information about the situation.
The unexpected diversions and changes to travel plans caused inconvenience to passengers waiting to arrive in Amritsar. However, the complaints regarding communication were based on passengers' accounts, and further details about the assistance provided by airport authorities were not immediately available.
According to media reports, airport operations returned to normal at around 10:15 pm. The temporary suspension and subsequent diversions affected flight movements during the incident.
CISF personnel reportedly spotted drones
According to reports, personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), deployed at the airport, noticed suspected drone movements in the surrounding area late Sunday night. Some reports placed the sighting at around 9:30 pm.
The personnel reportedly alerted the control room, following which security arrangements were reviewed. The presence of drones near an operational airport can raise concerns about aviation safety, particularly when aircraft are arriving or departing.
The source of the suspected drones and the circumstances in which they were operating near the airport remained unclear. An official confirmation establishing their origin was awaited.
Similar incident reported in September
Amritsar airport had also experienced flight disruptions following suspected drone activity on September 6. Reports at the time said drones were spotted near the runway and operational area between approximately 9:40 pm and 9:50 pm.
Airport operations were reportedly suspended for around 90 minutes, affecting seven commercial flights. The flights were diverted to Delhi and Chandigarh.
A preliminary investigation by Punjab Police and security agencies reportedly indicated that the drones were being flown during a sports tournament in a nearby village.
The latest incident has renewed attention on drone activity near Amritsar airport and its potential impact on aviation operations. Further official details regarding Sunday's sightings were awaited.