Technical glitch in ATC system triggers massive delays at Delhi airport; over 150 flights affected
PTC Web Desk: Flight operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) were severely disrupted on Friday morning after a technical snag hit the Air Traffic Control (ATC) system, leading to widespread delays in departures and arrivals.
According to airport officials, the issue originated from a malfunction in the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS), a key component that transmits vital flight plan data to the Auto Track System (ATS). The breakdown forced air traffic controllers to handle flight plans manually, resulting in significant operational slowdowns.
In a statement, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) said: “Flight operations at Delhi Airport are experiencing delays due to a technical issue in the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS), which supports Air Traffic Control data. Controllers are processing flight plans manually, leading to some delays. Technical teams are working to restore the system at the earliest. We appreciate the understanding and cooperation of all passengers and stakeholders.”
Delhi Airport, the country’s busiest aviation hub, manages over 1,500 flight movements every day. As per flight-tracking platform Flightradar24, more than 513 flights were delayed on Thursday, while another 171 departures faced delays by Friday morning.
An official added that while technical teams are attempting to restore the AMSS, “delays are expected to continue until the issue is fully resolved.”
Low-cost carrier IndiGo acknowledged the disruption on social media, stating on X (formerly Twitter): “#6ETravelAdvisory Flight operations at #Delhi Airport are currently experiencing delays due to a technical issue with the Air Traffic Control (ATC) system. As a result, flight operations at Delhi and several northern regions are impacted. We understand that extended wait times, both on the ground and onboard, may cause inconvenience, and we sincerely appreciate your patience. Please be assured that our crew and ground teams are actively assisting and doing their best to make your wait as smooth as possible. For the latest updates on your flight, we encourage you to check our website. Thank you for your continued understanding.”
Air India also confirmed that the ATC malfunction was affecting its operations, posting on X: “...We regret the inconvenience caused by this unforeseen disruption, which is beyond our control, and appreciate your patience. Our cabin crew and on-ground staff at the airport are extending immediate assistance to reduce passenger inconvenience. We request you to check your flight status at airindia.com/in/en/manage/f… before heading to the airport.”
Authorities have not specified the time frame for full system restoration, but teams are working to bring the AMSS back online at the earliest to normalise operations.
- With inputs from agencies
