Delhi Airport Flight Delays as ATC System Glitch Disrupts Operations

Operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) were severely affected on Friday morning after a technical snag hit the Air Traffic Control (ATC) system, leading to widespread flight delays. Over 400 flights were impacted as the glitch disrupted the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS), which supplies vital flight plan data to the Auto Track System (ATS).

The Delhi Airport flight delays began when the AMSS system malfunctioned, forcing air traffic controllers to manually process flight plans — a task typically handled automatically. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) confirmed that technical teams were working urgently to restore the system to normal operation.

“Flight operations at Delhi Airport are experiencing delays due to a technical issue in the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS), which supports Air Traffic Control data. Controllers are processing flight plans manually, leading to delays. We appreciate the understanding and cooperation of passengers,” the AAI stated.

As the country’s busiest airport, the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) handles over 1,500 flight movements daily. According to flight-tracking data, 513 flights were delayed on Thursday, while Friday saw 313 departures and 118 arrivals facing long waits. Many flights reported delays ranging from 30 to 60 minutes during peak morning hours.

An airport official revealed that the issue began around 3 p.m. on Thursday and continued into Friday, causing air traffic congestion. “Each flight plan is now being manually entered and processed, which takes additional time. This has resulted in significant slowdowns in flight movements,” the official said.

Another ATC source described the situation as “unprecedented,” explaining that such a large-scale glitch had not occurred before. “There is chaos inside the ATC room. Every departure and arrival plan is being cross-checked manually to ensure safety,” the source added.

Major airlines including IndiGo and Air India issued public statements apologizing to passengers and advising them to check flight statuses before heading to the airport. IndiGo wrote, “Flight operations at Delhi Airport are currently experiencing delays due to a technical issue with the Air Traffic Control system. We appreciate your patience as our teams work to assist all affected passengers.”

Air India echoed similar concerns, stating that the issue was “beyond their control” and assuring travelers that ground and cabin crews were offering full assistance.

By Friday evening, airport authorities confirmed that restoration efforts were ongoing, but delays were expected to continue until the AMSS system was fully functional.

This marks one of the rare occasions where India’s busiest airport has faced such extensive flight delays due to a technical glitch in the ATC system, underlining the critical importance of robust digital infrastructure for smooth air traffic management.