Normal operations have resumed at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, the busiest airport in the country, following a disruption in the Air Traffic Control flight planning system that led to delays in over 800 flights. Travelers are advised to stay updated on their flight statuses through their respective airlines.
A statement from the Civil Aviation Ministry mentioned that the technical issue affecting the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS) supporting the Air Traffic Control flight planning process is gradually being resolved. Airline operations at the Delhi Airport are gradually returning to normal, with authorities working diligently to minimize any inconvenience caused to passengers.
The glitch in the AMSS system forced the Air Traffic Control to switch from automation to manual procedures, causing widespread delays starting from Thursday evening. Indira Gandhi International Airport typically handles around 1,500 aircraft movements daily, with peak rates reaching 60–70 per hour under normal circumstances.
The disruption occurred when the system responsible for transferring flight plan data to the air traffic controllers’ screens malfunctioned, requiring controllers to process data manually, leading to significant delays in flight operations. Many passengers were left stranded at the airport, expressing their frustration on social media over the delays caused by the Air Traffic Control system glitch.
Inside the airport terminals, chaos ensued as passengers gathered near boarding gates and information counters, seeking updates anxiously. Frustration grew among passengers, especially those who had already experienced delays at other Indian airports, with many missing connecting flights. Outside the airport, flight delays affected taxi stands, causing long queues as passengers who had pre-booked cabs missed their rides due to delayed arrivals.
The Civil Aviation Ministry later announced that the AMSS had been restored to normal functionality, but minor delays in automated processes could persist due to backlog data. The ministry assured that the system is stabilizing, and full normalcy is anticipated to be restored shortly.