Flight Delays Hit Delhi Airport Following ATC System Glitch

Severe disruptions hit Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) on Friday morning when a technical glitch impacted the Air Traffic Control (ATC) system, resulting in major flight delays. More than 400 flights were affected as the malfunction disrupted the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS), which delivers crucial flight plan data to the Auto Track System (ATS).

The flight delays commenced after the AMSS experienced issues, compelling air traffic controllers to manually process flight plans—an automated function under normal circumstances. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) confirmed that technical teams are actively working to restore normal operations.

“We are currently experiencing delays in flight operations at Delhi Airport due to an issue with the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS), which is vital for Air Traffic Control data. Manual processing of flight plans is causing extensive delays. We thank passengers for their understanding and cooperation,” stated the AAI.

As the busiest airport in the country, IGIA sees more than 1,500 flight movements each day. Flight-tracking data indicates that 513 flights were delayed on Thursday, with Friday reporting 313 departures and 118 arrivals suffering long wait times. Many flights encountered delays ranging between 30 to 60 minutes during peak morning hours.

According to an airport official, the problem originated around 3 p.m. on Thursday and persisted into Friday, leading to heightened air traffic congestion. “Every flight plan must now be manually entered and processed, which takes extra time. This has resulted in substantial slowdowns in flight movements,” the official shared.

Another ATC insider described the event as “unprecedented,” noting that such a widespread glitch had never occurred before. “The ATC room is experiencing chaos. Each departure and arrival plan is being manually cross-checked to ensure safety,” the source elaborated.

Major airlines like IndiGo and Air India have publicly apologized to passengers, urging them to verify flight statuses prior to arriving at the airport. IndiGo announced, “Delays in flight operations at Delhi Airport are due to a technical issue with the Air Traffic Control system. We appreciate your patience while our teams assist affected passengers.”

Air India shared similar sentiments, stating that the issue was “beyond their control” and assuring passengers that ground and cabin crews are providing full support.

By Friday evening, airport authorities confirmed that restoration efforts were still underway; however, delays are expected to persist until the AMSS is back to full functionality.

This incident highlights the rarity of such extensive delays at India's busiest airport due to a technical ATC glitch, emphasizing the need for solid digital infrastructure in managing air traffic effectively.