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Post by : Rameen Ariff
The operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in Delhi suffered significant disruption on Friday morning due to a technical failure in the Air Traffic Control (ATC) system, resulting in numerous flight delays. The Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS), crucial for supplying flight plan data to the Auto Track System (ATS), encountered a major snag affecting over 400 flights.
Flight delays began when the AMSS system experienced issues, forcing air traffic controllers to manually handle flight plans, a process that is usually automated. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) reported that technical teams are diligently working to restore normal functionality.
“We are currently experiencing flight delays at Delhi Airport due to a malfunction in the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS) related to Air Traffic Control. Flight plans are being processed manually, which has resulted in delays. We appreciate passengers' understanding during this time,” said the AAI.
As the busiest airport in India, IGIA manages over 1,500 flights daily. Recent data shows that 513 flights were delayed on Thursday, and by Friday, 313 departures and 118 arrivals faced considerable delays, some ranging from 30 to 60 minutes during peak hours.
An airport official indicated that the issues commenced around 3 p.m. on Thursday and persisted into Friday, causing significant air traffic congestion. “Every flight plan must now be entered manually, which adds to processing time. This has resulted in significant slowdowns in air traffic,” stated the official.
According to an ATC source, this situation is “unprecedented,” noting that such a large-scale glitch has not been witnessed before. “There's chaos in the ATC operations room, with every departure and arrival plan being manually verified to maintain safety,” the source added.
Major airlines, including IndiGo and Air India, have publicly apologized to affected passengers and encouraged them to check flight statuses before arriving at the airport. IndiGo commented, “Flight operations at Delhi Airport are facing delays due to a technical issue with the Air Traffic Control system. We appreciate your patience as our teams assist all affected passengers.”
Air India expressed their commitment to helping travelers, stressing that the situation was “beyond their control,” and assured that ground and cabin crews are providing full support.
As of Friday evening, airport officials confirmed that efforts to restore the system are in progress, but delays are expected to persist until the AMSS system is fully operational.
This incident highlights the critical need for reliable digital infrastructure in ensuring smooth air traffic management, reflecting how rare such extensive delays due to an ATC technical issue are at India’s busiest airport.
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