Delhi Airport Faces Major Flight Delays Due to Technical Glitch in Air Traffic Control System
A technical failure in the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS) at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport caused over 400 flight delays, disrupting schedules nationwide. With ATC operations manual, passengers experienced long waits and altered departure times. Authorities are resolving the issue, while passengers are advised to check official updates, arrive early, and seek refunds or rebooking through airlines under DGCA guidelines.
Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport experienced severe disruptions following a malfunction in the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS), which supports the Air Traffic Control (ATC) flight planning process. The glitch forced ATC to abandon automated operations and manage flight schedules manually, causing delays of over an hour and widespread chaos affecting more than 400 flights. The AMSS is a critical system that transmits flight planning data, weather updates, and clearance information between aircraft and control centers. The breakdown led to significant ripple effects across multiple Indian airports. Authorities are actively working to resolve the issue and have advised passengers to stay informed through official airport and airline channels. Passengers are encouraged to arrive early due to fluid schedules and to contact their airlines for assistance with refunds, rebooking, or compensation as per DGCA rules, which guarantee full refunds for delays over two hours or cancellations. Meanwhile, airlines provide meals and refreshments to those checked in and waiting for rescheduled flights. The incident, starting on November 6, resulted in extensive delays nationwide, severely impacting passenger travel and airline operations while prompting substantial financial losses for operators.
