Major Airport Disruption Triggers System Upgrade
A significant technical failure at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport has prompted authorities to accelerate the implementation of a new air traffic messaging system. The incident, which occurred on November 6, 2025, caused widespread flight disruptions affecting thousands of passengers across the country.
The Glitch That Paralyzed Operations
Airport officials discovered a critical malfunction in the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS) at India's busiest airport. This system is responsible for processing and transmitting essential aeronautical messages, including flight plans, departure and arrival details, and weather updates between air traffic control, airlines, and aircraft.
The technical failure forced air traffic controllers to process flight plans manually for more than 24 hours, leading to a cascade effect across India's aviation network. The disruption resulted in over 800 flight delays and cancellations, with impacts felt as far as Mumbai Airport. Recovery from the widespread disruption took multiple days, highlighting the vulnerability of the current system.
Expedited Transition to Advanced Technology
In response to the crisis, the Airport Authority of India (AAI) has decided to fast-track the operationalization of the more sophisticated Aeronautical Message Handling System (AMHS). Originally scheduled for April 2026, the new system will now be implemented by January 2026, cutting the timeline by three months.
The AMSS currently operates on a hub-and-spoke model across India, with 16 major airports including Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata serving as hubs. Surrounding airports function as spokes connected to these hubs' AMSS systems. However, this architecture proved vulnerable during the November incident.
Superior Capabilities of the New System
The new AMHS represents a significant technological leap over the current system. While AMSS can only transmit text-based messages, AMHS can handle various digital formats including graphics, images, files, databases, audio, and video. The advanced system also offers higher functionality and superior transmission reliability.
The infrastructure for AMHS follows a different architecture, with the main server installed at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and a backup server in Delhi. Mumbai Airport has already operated an AMHS system since 2011, following International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) recommendations, with established connections to Singapore and Nepal.
According to sources, 60-70 countries have already transitioned to AMHS technology, recognizing its advantages over older systems. The AAI had identified the need to upgrade in 2023 and began hardware installations across the country, with completion already achieved at all airports.
Training and Implementation Timeline
With hardware installation complete, the final phase involves training airline personnel, scheduled for next month. This comprehensive training program will ensure smooth transition to the new system when it becomes operational in January.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture had noted in an August 2025 report that existing Indian ATC systems lack many advanced capabilities standard in global systems. The committee observed that systems at high-density airports like Delhi and Mumbai have begun showing significant performance degradation.
Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, had earlier informed the Lok Sabha about initiatives to modernize air navigation infrastructure, including the installation of a new pan-India AMHS to replace existing systems and improve performance of aeronautical message exchanges.
An official statement highlighted that aviation represents both an emerging challenge and opportunity for India. The AAI has prepared a comprehensive roadmap for upgrading and modernizing all 112 airports it manages by 2029, including expansion of training facilities in Prayagraj, Gondia, and Hyderabad.
