What caused the disruption of over 400 flights at Delhi Airport?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Over 400 flights impacted due to ATC system fault.
- Major airlines affected include Indigo and Air India.
- Passengers advised to stay updated with their airlines.
- Technical issues can severely disrupt travel plans.
- Authorities are working to resolve the situation promptly.
New Delhi, Nov 7 (NationPress) Flight operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) faced significant disruptions on Friday due to a technical fault in the Air Traffic Control (ATC) system, affecting over 400 flights from various airlines, including Indigo, Air India, and others.
Indigo Airlines mentioned on X, “The Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS) issue impacting ATC operations is currently being addressed, and delays may persist across airlines at Delhi and several airports in the northern region until the system is fully restored.”
An Air India Express spokesperson stated, “We operate around 60 direct flights daily to 25 domestic destinations from Delhi Terminal 1 and four international flights from Terminal 3. Our teams are actively supporting guests at the airport and collaborating closely with the authorities to minimize delays.”
Earlier, Delhi Airport posted on X, advising passengers: “Due to a technical issue with the Air Traffic Control (ATC) system, flight operations at IGIA are experiencing delays. Our team is diligently working with all stakeholders, including DIAL, to resolve this issue promptly. Passengers are encouraged to maintain communication with their respective airlines for the latest updates. We deeply regret any inconvenience this may have caused.”
Passengers reported delays, experiencing longer wait times both at the airport and aboard aircraft.
A traveler on one of the delayed flights told IANS that the crew requested understanding from passengers while the technical issue was being resolved.
Earlier in the week, the airport faced minor disruptions due to third-party connectivity problems affecting check-in systems, which caused delays for a few airlines. That issue was reportedly resolved on Wednesday, allowing normal operations to resume. However, Friday’s ATC system glitch is distinct and has impacted a greater number of flights.
Airlines advised passengers to closely monitor their flight status and arrive at the airport well in advance of their scheduled departure times. Authorities are continuing their efforts to restore full operational efficiency at the airport.