A significant technical malfunction at the heart of India's air traffic control network triggered widespread flight disruptions across major airports on Tuesday, November 7. The cascading effect of the issue, which originated in Delhi, was felt as far as Mumbai, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and over three hundred flights delayed.
What Caused the Widespread Airport Chaos?
The crisis began with a failure of the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS) at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport. This critical system supports the Air Traffic Control (ATC) flight planning process, which is essential for the smooth coordination of departures and arrivals.
Hours after Delhi Airport alerted passengers, the ripple effect reached the west coast. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai issued its own passenger advisory, confirming that its flight operations were also being impacted by the technical issue at Delhi.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the official Mumbai Airport account stated, "Flight Operations at Mumbai Airport have been affected by a technical issue impacting the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS) at Delhi... The concerned authorities are actively working to resolve the issue at the earliest."
On the Ground: Passenger Ordeal and Airline Response
The impact was severe and immediate. Delhi Airport, one of the busiest in India, saw more than 300 flights delayed, creating a logistical nightmare and stranding thousands of travelers. Officials scrambled to fix the AMSS system, which was causing departure delays of over 30 minutes for dozens of flights.
Major Indian airlines, including Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air, were forced to issue advisories to their customers, acknowledging the disruptions and urging patience. While authorities assured the public that the issue was being addressed on priority, no specific timeline for a full resumption of normal operations was provided.
What Should Affected Passengers Do?
For travelers caught in the chaos, airlines and airport authorities have issued clear guidelines. Passengers are strongly advised to take the following steps:
- Connect with your respective airline for the latest updates on flight status and revised schedules.
- Check the official website of your airline using your PNR number for real-time information.
- Arrive at the airport early to account for potential delays and follow instructions from ground crew.
- For those with connecting flights on the same airline, alternate arrangements are likely being made.
According to DGCA rules, passengers are entitled to a full refund or an alternate flight if their flight is delayed by over two hours. However, there was no immediate official update from airlines regarding refunds for this specific incident. The authorities have expressed regret for the inconvenience and appreciate passengers' patience and cooperation.
