ATC glitch triggers major flight delays at Delhi airport
New Delhi – A technical glitch in the Air Traffic Control (ATC) system disrupted flight operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) on Friday morning. The snag forced controllers to switch from automated to manual operations, delaying over 150 departures and creating heavy congestion across terminals.
The problem began around 3 p.m. on Thursday when the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS) malfunctioned. The AMSS sends flight plan data to the Auto Track System (ATS), which controllers use to monitor and guide aircraft. Once the system failed, air traffic controllers had to enter and manage flight data manually.
An air traffic control officer said the manual process slowed departures and built up queues on taxiways. “The workload has increased. We are handling every flight manually, which is time-consuming,” he said. The situation caused frustration among passengers waiting in packed departure halls.
The disruption persisted into Friday morning, with Flightradar24 showing over 171 delayed flights by 10 a.m. Departure delays stretched up to 53 minutes, and the trend kept rising as more morning flights lined up for clearance.
Indira Gandhi International Airport handles over 1,500 flight movements daily, making it the country’s busiest aviation hub. The glitch triggered a ripple effect, affecting connecting flights across northern India. Airlines scrambled to manage schedules and update passengers.
IndiGo Airlines issued an advisory on X, confirming operational delays. The airline said flight operations in Delhi and nearby regions faced disruptions because of a technical issue with ATC. “We understand that extended wait times may cause inconvenience,” the airline said, urging passengers to check its website for real-time updates.
Air India also reported flight delays due to the same glitch. The carrier apologized for the inconvenience and said its crew and ground staff were helping stranded passengers. “We appreciate your patience as our teams assist you during this disruption,” the airline said.
By afternoon, airport officials said technical teams were working to restore the AMSS. However, they expected delays to continue until the system returned to normal. “The team is addressing the root cause. But full stability will take some time,” an official added.
Passengers faced long waits, missed connections, and extended check-in lines. Airport staff distributed refreshments to ease discomfort, while announcements repeatedly updated travelers about delays.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI), which manages ATC operations nationwide, had not yet released an official statement by press time. Aviation sources said such glitches are rare and usually resolved within hours. However, this one persisted longer than expected.
As the day progressed, flight schedules remained affected despite partial manual restoration. Technicians continued to troubleshoot the communication link between AMSS and ATS to prevent future disruptions.
The episode underscored Delhi Airport’s heavy dependence on automated systems for smooth air traffic flow. It also highlighted how a single technical failure can ripple across India’s crowded skies, grounding hundreds and testing the patience of thousands.
