Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Nov 7: Chaos prevailed at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Friday after a massive technical failure in the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS) caused severe disruption in air traffic control operations, delaying over 300 flights.
The glitch, which began showing effects from Thursday afternoon, forced air traffic controllers to switch from automated to manual procedures, resulting in a major slowdown of flight movements. Delhi Airport, which handles around 1,500 aircraft operations daily, struggled to maintain schedules as controllers processed flight details manually.
The AMSS system, responsible for transferring flight plan data and operational information between airlines and ATC, had crashed, leading to a breakdown in communication and coordination. Controllers had to record flight details and sequence operations manually, significantly reducing the airport’s capacity.
The Airports Authority of India confirmed the disruption, stating that technical teams were working to restore the system. “Flight operations at Delhi Airport are experiencing delays due to a technical issue in the Automatic Message Switching System. Controllers are processing flight plans manually, and technical teams are working to restore the system at the earliest,” the authority said in a post on X.
Delhi International Airport Limited also issued an advisory asking passengers to stay updated with their respective airlines. “This matter is being addressed on priority with close coordination among ATC, DIAL, and other stakeholders. Passengers are requested to follow updates from their airlines regarding revised schedules,” it said.
Leading carriers including IndiGo and Air India issued advisories, asking passengers to check flight status before leaving for the airport and to arrive early to avoid inconvenience.
Authorities said that restoration efforts were underway and that normal operations were expected to resume soon once the automated systems were fully restored.