Major Microsoft Windows outage grounds flights across India; airport check-in systems crash
PTC Web Desk: Several airports across India experienced significant disruptions on Wednesday morning after a widespread Microsoft Windows-related outage affected check-in and airline IT systems. According to early updates shared with passengers and airport staff, the glitch impacted multiple carriers, slowing down operations and causing delays in flight schedules.
At Varanasi airport, passengers were informed through an official notice that Microsoft Windows was facing a major global service disruption, which had hit essential IT functions used for check-in and boarding. IndiGo, SpiceJet, Akasa Air and Air India Express were among the airlines reportedly affected at the airport. There was no immediate response from Microsoft or the carriers regarding the cause of the technical failure.
#WATCH | Hyderabad, Telangana | Chaos erupts at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport after delay in flights due to operational issues. pic.twitter.com/5sQ6BqhmiT — ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2025
Chaotic scenes at Hyderabad Airport
The outage led to confusion at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, where a crowd of anxious passengers gathered around airline service counters seeking clarity about their flights. Videos from the terminal showed travellers holding printed tickets and mobile phones while demanding updates from overwhelmed staff.
Due to the disruption, Hyderabad airport saw 7 departures and 12 arrivals cancelled, worsening the situation for travellers stranded in terminals.
Delays and cancellations in Bengaluru
Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport also reported operational challenges, with several flights delayed because of late inbound aircraft. IndiGo faced multiple cancellations attributed to operational issues compounded by the system outage. The airline recorded 42 cancellations, including 22 arrivals and 20 departures.
Advisory issued in Delhi
Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) posted an advisory on X, alerting passengers that some domestic airlines were tackling “operational challenges” that could lead to delays. Airport officials said ground teams were working closely with carriers to minimise disruption and maintain smooth passenger movement.
Airlines issue updates
Air India later informed passengers that the affected third-party system had been fully restored, and regular check-in services had resumed across airports. The airline confirmed that all its flights were operating as per schedule after normalcy was restored.
IndiGo acknowledged that it had been dealing with unavoidable delays and cancellations in recent days, citing a mix of technology complications, airport congestion, and operational requirements. The airline added that customers impacted by cancellations were being offered alternative travel arrangements or refunds.
The incident follows another large-scale disruption last month at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, where a malfunction in the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS) delayed more than 800 flights. The technical issue forced air traffic controllers to manually prepare flight plans, contributing to long queues and extended processing times.
- With inputs from agencies
