Drone scare at Amritsar airport: 7 flights diverted, 3 cancelled after runway sightings

Suspected drones near Amritsar airport trigger a security alert, disrupting flight operations as seven flights are diverted and three cancelled

PGurus Newsdesk

September 7, 2026

Drone scare at Amritsar airport after suspected unmanned aerial objects were spotted near the runway

Security agencies swing into action after suspected drones are spotted close to the runway, forcing authorities to disrupt flight operations as a precaution

A suspected drone sighting near the runway at Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport in Amritsar triggered a security alert late Sunday night, disrupting flight operations and putting airport agencies on heightened vigilance.

The incident unfolded around 10 pm, when suspected drones were reportedly noticed in the vicinity of the airport. The sighting immediately raised concerns over the safety of aircraft operating in and around the runway area, prompting authorities to respond swiftly.

Seven incoming flights diverted

The disruption quickly spilled over into scheduled air traffic. According to reports, seven flights that were headed towards Amritsar were diverted, with aircraft redirected towards Chandigarh and Delhi.

At the same time, three flights scheduled to depart from Amritsar were cancelled, as airport authorities prioritised passenger and aircraft safety amid the alert.

ATC sounds alert as security response intensifies

The suspected drone movement prompted the Air Traffic Control team to issue an alert, while sirens were sounded at the airport. The immediate focus was on preventing any potential interaction between unidentified aerial objects and aircraft operating close to the runway.

Security agencies were subsequently placed on high alert as authorities assessed the situation and worked to establish the nature and source of the suspected drones.

Why the sighting matters

Even a small unidentified drone operating near an active airport can pose a serious aviation hazard, particularly during take-off and landing when aircraft are operating at relatively low altitudes.

The Amritsar incident therefore comes with consequences beyond delayed or diverted flights. The priority for authorities is to determine whether the sightings were accidental, unauthorised civilian drone activity or something more deliberate.

At present, reports describe the objects as suspected drones, and there is no confirmed information establishing their operator or intent. Authorities are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the sighting before drawing conclusions.

Flights disrupted as authorities remain cautious

The decision to divert incoming aircraft and cancel departures reflects the precautionary approach taken when an unidentified aerial object is reported near an airport’s operational zone.

With several flights affected, passengers could face delays and schedule changes as authorities work to ensure that the airspace around the airport is safe for normal operations.

The immediate incident may have disrupted air traffic, but the bigger question now is who was operating the suspected drones and why they were flying so close to a sensitive airport installation.

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