Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Suspected Drones Shut Amritsar Airport, Diverting Seven Flights
People reported seeing several objects that looked like drones near the airport in Amritsar.
The reports came on Sunday night, around 9:45 to 10 p.m.
Some airplanes were already waiting in the sky to land.
Airport officials temporarily stopped flights because the objects could make landings unsafe.
Seven flights were sent to other airports.
Two went to Chandigarh and five went to Delhi.
Five flights later returned to Amritsar.
One Air India flight was cancelled, and a Malaysia Airlines flight was expected the next day.
Police and other security agencies investigated, and airport operations returned to normal.
Suspected drones were reported near or across the operational area of Amritsar airport on Sunday night.
Flight operations were suspended for about 90 minutes after the reports, with authorities citing potential risks to aircraft landings.
Seven flights were diverted—two to Chandigarh and five to Delhi—including two international services, according to officials.
Five diverted flights later returned; one Air India flight was cancelled, while a Malaysia Airlines flight was expected the following day.
The Indian Air Force, Punjab Police, central security agencies and airport officials responded, while police investigated the incident.
- Who
- Airport Director Anirudh Kumar Sharma, the Indian Air Force, airport officials, Punjab Police, central security agencies and police investigators.
- What
- Suspected drone sightings led to a temporary airport shutdown and the diversion of seven flights.
- When
- Sunday night; reports were received around 9:45 p.m. or approximately 10 p.m., operations stopped around 9:50 p.m. and resumed from about 11:15 p.m.
- Where
- Shri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport in Amritsar, Punjab; flights were diverted to Chandigarh and Delhi.
- Why
- Authorities determined that the suspected drone activity could disrupt or endanger aircraft landings.
- Flights diverted
- Seven
- Diversion destinations
- Two flights to Chandigarh and five to Delhi
- Operations suspended
- Approximately 90 minutes
- Reported activity
- Multiple suspected drones or drone-like objects were seen near or across the operational and runway areas
- Operations resumed
- The Joint Action Committee assessed the situation around 11 p.m.; normal operations reopened at about 11:15 p.m.
- Flight outcomes
- Five diverted flights returned; one Air India flight was cancelled, and a Malaysia Airlines flight was expected the following day
- Investigation
- Punjab Police, central security agencies and police investigators were alerted or involved
