Hundreds of air passengers traveling to Amritsar faced significant disruptions and lengthy delays after a major technical snag hit the Air Traffic Control (ATC) system at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport. The system failure created a cascading effect on flight operations across multiple airlines serving the Amritsar route.
Technical Failure Triggers Widespread Disruptions
The ATC system malfunction occurred during peak travel hours, severely impacting flight schedules throughout Monday. According to airport authorities, the technical glitch affected communication and coordination systems essential for managing air traffic movements. This forced authorities to implement temporary restrictions on flight operations, leading to substantial delays in both departures and arrivals.
Multiple flights operating between Delhi and Amritsar experienced delays ranging from two to four hours, causing considerable inconvenience to travelers. The disruption particularly affected evening flights when passenger traffic typically peaks. Airlines were compelled to revise their schedules and issue delay notifications to affected passengers.
Passenger Frustration Mounts at Amritsar Airport
At Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar, the situation grew increasingly tense as delayed passengers crowded the terminal building. Many travelers expressed frustration over the lack of timely information and uncertainty about departure times. Some passengers reported missing important connections and appointments due to the extended delays.
Airline staff worked to manage the situation by providing regular updates and assistance to affected passengers. However, the limited communication from authorities about the expected resolution time added to the travelers' anxiety. The airport witnessed scenes of confusion as flight status displays showed multiple rescheduled departures.
Airlines Respond to ATC System Failure
Major carriers operating on the Delhi-Amritsar route, including Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet, acknowledged the disruptions and advised passengers to check their flight status before heading to airports. Airlines implemented contingency measures to minimize passenger inconvenience, including providing refreshments and accommodation where necessary.
Aviation experts noted that such ATC system failures have become increasingly concerning given the growing air traffic in Indian airspace. The incident highlights the vulnerability of critical aviation infrastructure and the need for robust backup systems to prevent widespread disruptions.
While authorities worked to restore normal operations, the impact of the technical snag continued to affect flight schedules well into the night. Passengers were advised to maintain contact with their respective airlines for the latest updates on rescheduled departure times and potential compensation for the extended delays.
