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A massive technical failure at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) on Friday threw flight operations into turmoil, delaying nearly 800 flights and causing ripple effects across several Indian airports. The disruption stemmed from a serious malfunction in the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS) , a crucial component of the Air Traffic Control (ATC) network that manages flight plans and communications.
The glitch forced ATC officials to revert to manual operations, drastically slowing down flight clearances and leading to significant congestion on runways and terminals. What was initially expected to be a short delay soon escalated into a full-day crisis, with passengers facing long queues, chaotic boarding schedules, and growing frustration across all terminals.
According to airport sources, almost 95% of departures and around 70% of arrivals were delayed. Flights from major carriers like IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, and Vistara were among the worst affected, forcing airlines to issue urgent advisories to passengers. Many travelers were asked to reach the airport early, check their flight status frequently, and prepare for last-minute rescheduling.
The scene at IGI was one of complete gridlock. Passengers could be seen waiting for hours at check-in counters, with terminal screens flashing endless “Delayed” notifications. Ground staff struggled to manage the growing crowd as announcements of further flight disruptions continued throughout the day.
The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) confirmed the technical fault and stated that teams were working “on a war footing” to restore full functionality. They reassured passengers that safety was not compromised, but acknowledged that operations would take time to normalize.
The crisis didn’t stay confined to Delhi. Several other airports including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Jaipur, and Lucknow also reported cascading delays due to aircraft being stuck at IGI or unable to depart on schedule. Aviation experts say this kind of technical breakdown highlights the need for stronger backup systems at major airports, especially those handling such high flight volumes daily.
Analysts described the incident as a “wake-up call” for India’s aviation infrastructure. IGI Airport, which manages more than 1,500 flight movements every day, depends heavily on automated systems. A failure of this magnitude underscores the vulnerability of even the most advanced airports when automation collapses.
By evening, partial restoration of the system had begun, but the backlog remained immense. Many passengers chose to cancel or reschedule their flights, while others were provided accommodation or rebooked for later departures. Airlines expressed regret over the inconvenience caused, assuring that normal services would resume gradually once systems stabilized.
While authorities have not yet disclosed the exact technical cause of the malfunction, early indications suggest a software or communication link failure between the ATC systems and the flight operation modules. A detailed technical audit is now underway to prevent future occurrences.
For now, passengers flying in or out of Delhi are advised to stay updated through airline notifications, arrive at the airport early, and expect possible delays in the coming days as the airport works to clear the operational backlog.
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