Over 100 flights were delayed at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) on Friday morning due to a technical glitch in the Air Traffic Control (ATC) system.
The problem, which began Thursday afternoon, involves a malfunction in the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS) responsible for feeding flight plan data to the Auto Track System (ATS).
As a result, air traffic controllers have had to manually prepare flight plans, causing significant delays averaging around 50 minutes and congestion at the airport. Airlines including IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet have issued advisories urging passengers to monitor flight statuses and exercise patience while authorities work to resolve the issue.
Technical Glitch Disrupts Flight Operations
The ATC system malfunction disabled the automated transmission of flight plans to controllers, forcing manual entry which is far more time-consuming.
This unexpected failure affected the busiest airport in India, handling over 1,500 flight movements daily, leading to cascading delays for both departures and arrivals across northern India. Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), alongside technical teams and airlines, is actively working on restoring normal operations.
The glitch is noted as rare and has caused significant operational challenges, with officials acknowledging the chaos and longer wait times at the airport and onboard planes.
Passenger Impact and Airline Responses
Passengers have faced prolonged waiting times on the ground and in the air, with some flights delayed up to 53 minutes. Airlines issued public apologies, acknowledging the inconvenience and promising assistance.
IndiGo advised travellers to check live flight updates on their platform, while Air India reassured passengers that cabin crew and ground staff are extending immediate support efforts.
SpiceJet also noted ATC congestion might continue to impact flights beyond the immediate crisis. This incident highlights the heavy dependency of aviation on automated systems and the ripple effects when these systems encounter technical failures.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This disruption underscores the critical need for resilient aviation infrastructure and transparent communication during unexpected technology failures. While modern automation optimises air traffic management, robust backup plans must be reinforced to minimise operational chaos and passenger inconvenience.
The Logical Indian advocates for strengthened system safeguards and proactive stakeholder coordination to uphold the safety and efficiency of air travel.
News in Q&A
- What caused the flight delays at Delhi’s IGIA airport?
The delays were caused by a technical glitch in the ATC system’s Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS), stopping automatic flight plan transmissions, forcing manual work by air traffic controllers. - How extensive is the impact of this glitch?
Over 100 flights were delayed as of Friday morning, including arrivals and departures, with delays averaging 50 minutes and continuing operational congestion. - What are airlines and airport officials saying about the problem?
DIAL confirmed the technical issue and said teams are working to fix it. Airlines like IndiGo and Air India apologized for inconvenience, advised passengers to check updates, and promised support during the disruption. - Has this type of issue happened before recently?
Yes, the airport recently faced similar technical disruptions earlier in the week impacting check-in and flight operations, which had just been resolved before this glitch. - What can passengers do during these disruptions?
Passengers are advised to stay updated via airline websites or flight tracking apps, reach out to airline support for assistance, plan for delays, and remain patient as the issue is resolved.
