What Caused the Disruption of Flight Operations at Delhi Airport?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Major disruptions at Delhi's IGIA due to ATC system issues.
- Over 100 flights affected, resulting in significant delays.
- Airlines are advising passengers to stay informed.
- Passengers should arrive early and check flight statuses.
- Efforts are ongoing to restore full operational capacity.
New Delhi, Nov 7 (NationPress) Flight operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) encountered major interruptions on Friday due to a technical malfunction in the Air Traffic Control (ATC) system, impacting over 100 flights from various airlines.
In an advisory posted on X, Delhi Airport stated: “Due to a technical issue with the Air Traffic Control (ATC) system, flight operations at IGIA are facing delays. Our team is collaborating with all stakeholders, including DIAL, to resolve this issue as swiftly as possible. Passengers are encouraged to stay in contact with their respective airlines for the most current flight updates. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.”
Travelers reported extended waiting periods both at the airport and while onboard.
Air India also provided an update, acknowledging the situation: “A technical issue with the ATC system in Delhi is affecting flight operations across all airlines, resulting in delays and prolonged wait times at the airport and onboard flights. We regret the inconvenience caused by this unexpected disruption, which is outside of our control, and thank you for your patience. Our cabin crew and on-ground staff are providing immediate assistance to mitigate passenger hassle. Please check your flight status at Air India before heading to the airport.”
A passenger on one of the affected flights informed IANS that the crew requested travelers to remain patient as the technical issue was being addressed.
IndiGo also took to X to announce, “Flight operations at #Delhi Airport are currently facing delays due to a technical issue with the Air Traffic Control (ATC) system. Consequently, flight operations in Delhi and several northern regions are impacted. We understand that prolonged wait times, both on the ground and in the air, may cause inconvenience, and we sincerely appreciate your understanding.”
“Rest assured, our crew and ground teams are actively assisting and striving to make your wait as comfortable as possible. For the latest updates on your flight, we recommend checking our website. Thank you for your continued patience,” the post added.
Earlier this week, the airport faced minor disruptions due to third-party connectivity issues that affected check-in systems, leading to delays for a few airlines. That issue was reportedly resolved on Wednesday, allowing normal operations to resume. However, today’s ATC system glitch is separate and has affected a larger number of flights.
Passengers are advised to closely monitor their flight status and arrive at the airport well in advance of their scheduled departure. Authorities are actively working to restore full operational efficiency at the airport.