Tech Glitch Causes Major Flight Delays at Delhi Airport
A technical malfunction in the automatic message switching system (AMSS) at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport disrupted over 400 flights on Friday, forcing air traffic controllers to process flight plans manually and causing significant delays across airlines.
Key Takeaways
- Over 400 flights delayed at Delhi airport due to AMSS system failure
- Air traffic controllers shifted to manual processing, slowing operations
- Technical issue began Thursday evening, persisted through Friday
- Airlines advised passengers to check flight status before heading to airport
System Failure Impact
The AMSS, a crucial digital platform for communication between air traffic control, airports and airlines, malfunctioned, affecting both arrivals and departures. The system normally automates flight plans, route clearances and operational updates.
When AMSS goes offline, staff must manually input and relay flight data, creating bottlenecks and significantly increasing processing time. The Airports Authority of India confirmed the technical fault affected data exchange systems used by controllers.
Passenger Advisory
Major airlines including IndiGo and Air India issued travel advisories throughout the day. IndiGo acknowledged services in Delhi and northern region airports were affected and asked travelers to check flight status before leaving for the airport.
Air India advised passengers: “We request guests to allow extra time and check flight status before departure.” Both airlines deployed additional ground staff to assist passengers facing delays.
Recovery Efforts
AAI technical teams worked to restore full system functionality. Officials indicated normal operations would resume progressively as the system stabilized. With Delhi airport handling over 1,500 flights daily, even partial system disruptions can create widespread operational challenges.
