Unprecedented Flight Delays at Delhi Airport Following ATC System Failure

Flight operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) were disrupted on Friday morning due to a significant technical failure in the Air Traffic Control (ATC) system, resulting in extensive delays. Over 400 flights were caught up in the turmoil as the glitch affected the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS) that provides crucial flight data to the Auto Track System (ATS).

The problems began when the AMSS system malfunctioned, which forced air traffic controllers to manually handle flight plans, a duty normally performed automatically. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) reported that technical experts are actively working to restore the system to its normal functioning.

“Delays are being experienced in flight operations at Delhi Airport due to a glitch in the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS), which underpins Air Traffic Control data. Controllers are manually entering flight plans, causing delays. We appreciate passengers’ cooperation and understanding during this time,” the AAI said.

As India’s busiest airport, IGIA manages over 1,500 flight movements each day. Flight-tracking reports indicated that on Thursday alone, 513 flights saw delays, while Friday involved 313 departures and 118 arrivals facing long wait times. Many flights experienced delays in the range of 30 to 60 minutes during the busy morning hours.

According to an airport official, the glitch initiated around 3 p.m. on Thursday and persisted into Friday, resulting in traffic jams in the air. “Every flight plan must now be manually entered, which lengthens processing time significantly. This has led to notable slowdowns in operations,” the official stated.

Another ATC source characterized the situation as “unprecedented,” noting that a glitch of this magnitude has not been witnessed before. “There is chaos within the ATC room. Every arrival and departure is being cross-checked manually for safety,” the source elaborated.

Major airlines such as IndiGo and Air India have issued public apologies to travelers and recommended that they verify flight statuses prior to traveling to the airport. IndiGo commented, “Flight operations at Delhi Airport are currently delayed due to an ATC system failure. Thank you for your patience as we assist affected passengers.”

Air India echoed these sentiments, indicating the issue was “beyond their control,” and assured travelers that both ground and cabin crews are providing full support.

By Friday evening, airport authorities confirmed ongoing restoration efforts, though delays were anticipated to persist until the AMSS system is entirely functional.

This incident marks a rare occurrence of such widespread delays at India’s busiest airport due to a technical failure in the ATC system, emphasizing the need for robust digital infrastructure in air traffic management.