No Take-offs or Landings: Hundreds of Passengers Stranded Amid Widespread Disruptions
Chaos erupted at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) after a major malfunction hit its Air Traffic Control (ATC) system. As a result, no flights were able to take off or land, leaving over a hundred flights delayed and hundreds of passengers stranded with no clear timeline for their journeys. Airlines have assured passengers that they are monitoring the situation closely and working to restore normal operations.
IGIA, one of the busiest airports in the country, handles more than 1,500 flights daily. According to sources, technical issues that began Thursday evening prevented the ATC from automatically receiving flight plans. A breakdown in the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS) forced air traffic controllers to prepare flight plans manually, leading to significant delays. Additionally, rising air traffic and ongoing construction at the airport have further compounded the disruption.
The situation remained tense at the airport through Friday morning as the ATC malfunction continued to affect operations, delaying more than 100 flights and causing severe inconvenience to thousands of passengers. With neither departures nor arrivals taking place, travelers were left waiting for hours amid uncertainty.
According to flight-tracking websites, departures were delayed by an average of 50 minutes, while several flights had to be diverted, adding to the passengers’ frustration. Airlines have been issuing regular updates, though officials warn that it may take time for operations to fully normalize.
SpiceJet posted on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Due to a technical glitch in the ATC system, flight operations in Delhi and northern regions have been affected. Our teams are coordinating with authorities to assist passengers.” Similarly, IndiGo appealed for patience, noting that its crew and ground teams are actively helping affected travelers.
Passengers reported that the long waits and lack of timely updates have severely disrupted their travel plans. Officials confirmed that efforts are underway on a war footing to resolve the issue, though no clear timeline has been provided for full restoration. The incident underscores the heavy technological dependence of air traffic management systems—and the significant risks such reliance can entail.
