The Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi, one of India’s busiest aviation hubs, witnessed a significant disruption in flight operations on Friday following a technical glitch in the airport’s Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS). The issue caused major delays for both domestic and international flights, leading to long queues at check-in counters and boarding gates, widespread passenger inconvenience, and operational challenges for airlines and airport authorities. By late evening, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) confirmed that the glitch had been addressed and flight operations were gradually returning to normal.

The disruption affected nearly 800 flights, with data from Flightradar24 showing that around 95 per cent of departing flights experienced delays averaging 55 minutes, while 69 per cent of arriving flights faced an average delay of 43 minutes. Major airlines such as IndiGo, Air India, Akasa Air, and SpiceJet reported significant operational slowdowns, with many flights held up on the tarmac or delayed at boarding gates. Passengers faced uncertainty and long waiting periods, prompting advisories from airlines to check updated schedules before arriving at the airport.

According to the AAI, the technical problem was detected on November 6 in the IP-based AMSS system, which plays a critical role in supporting the Air Traffic Control (ATC) flight planning process. The system is responsible for the automatic transmission and updation of flight plans, integrating data from multiple sources, including meteorological information from across the country. When the AMSS malfunctioned, flight plans could not be automatically updated, forcing air traffic controllers to prepare flight plans manually. This manual intervention significantly slowed operations and contributed to widespread delays.

A senior official from the Airports Authority of India explained that upon detection of the glitch, an emergency review meeting was convened under the supervision of the Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, along with the Chairman of AAI and the Member of Air Navigation Services, among other senior officials. Immediate directions were issued to address the technical fault and restore normal operations. By the evening, the AAI confirmed that the AMSS was back online, although minor delays were still expected as operations gradually stabilized.

Passengers at the airport described scenes of long queues and crowded terminals. News reports indicated that hundreds of travelers waited for flight updates, with many unable to access timely information due to the system outage. Airline staff had to manage both on-ground operations and passenger communications manually, adding to the logistical challenges. The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), which manages the airport’s day-to-day operations, stated that flight operations were disrupted due to the ongoing technical issue with the AMSS. Officials reassured passengers that all possible measures were being taken to resolve the problem quickly and minimize inconvenience.

An IT ministry official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, clarified that the disruption was not due to a cyberattack, as some speculation had suggested. Instead, the glitch occurred during an upgrade of the ATC software, which temporarily halted the automatic updation of flight plans. The official emphasized that the system failure was technical in nature and part of routine software maintenance and upgrades aimed at improving operational efficiency.

Experts highlighted the critical role of the AMSS and related systems in modern air traffic management. Captain Sharath Panicker, an aviation operations expert, explained that the AMSS not only facilitates the smooth preparation and sharing of flight plans but also integrates crucial meteorological data through the Automatic Terminal Information System (ATIS). This integration is essential for maintaining flight safety and efficiency. When the system failed, controllers had to rely on manual processes, which are inherently slower and more prone to delays. The glitch underscored the dependency of modern aviation on integrated digital systems, and the challenges posed when these systems face technical faults.

The timing of the disruption compounded its impact, with the airport handling over 1,500 daily flight movements. Friday is typically one of the busier days for travel, and the simultaneous disruption of both domestic and international flight operations amplified passenger inconvenience. Airlines responded by issuing advisories, encouraging travelers to check for updates on flight timings and rebooking options. IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet, among others, confirmed that operations were gradually resuming but warned of residual delays as the system stabilized.

Despite the operational challenges, airport authorities and airlines worked in coordination to manage the situation. Ground staff assisted passengers, reallocated resources to prioritize departures, and coordinated with ATC to streamline flight schedules as much as possible. Passengers reported that although initial hours were chaotic, airline personnel and airport staff made concerted efforts to communicate revised schedules and minimize confusion.

The incident at Delhi airport is being closely examined by aviation authorities to identify the exact cause of the software glitch and to implement preventive measures for the future. Officials indicated that system redundancies and manual overrides are already in place but noted that such failures are rare. “Glitches in the AMSS are uncommon and have not been observed previously at this scale,” the official told HT.com. Nevertheless, the episode serves as a reminder of the importance of robust backup systems and contingency planning in modern airports, particularly those with high traffic volumes like IGI.

From a broader perspective, the disruption highlights the increasing complexity of air traffic management in India. As the aviation sector continues to grow, with rising passenger numbers and expanding flight networks, airports and air traffic control systems are under increasing pressure to operate seamlessly. Any technical disruption, no matter how brief, can have cascading effects, affecting hundreds of flights and thousands of passengers. Aviation experts suggest that continuous investment in IT infrastructure, staff training, and system redundancy is critical to ensure resilience against such technical faults.

For passengers, the key takeaway is the importance of monitoring real-time flight updates, particularly during periods of known technical upgrades or system maintenance. Airlines and airport authorities recommend using official apps, SMS notifications, and website updates to stay informed, as the initial hours of disruption often see the greatest confusion and delays.

By late evening, with the AMSS restored and flight operations gradually resuming, the immediate crisis at IGI Airport was considered resolved. The AAI, however, cautioned that minor delays might persist as the system stabilizes and backlogs are cleared. Passengers are being advised to verify flight schedules before traveling to the airport, and airlines continue to issue updates as operations normalize.

In conclusion, the technical glitch at Delhi airport, caused by an upgrade-related fault in the Automatic Message Switching System, created temporary but significant disruption to domestic and international flight operations. While the issue has now been rectified, the incident underscores the critical importance of advanced digital infrastructure in aviation and the need for robust contingency plans to minimize passenger inconvenience during unforeseen technical failures. Authorities are likely to conduct a detailed review to prevent recurrence, ensuring that India’s busiest airport maintains operational resilience in the face of future technical challenges.