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A major technical glitch at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) on Friday led to massive chaos, with over 400 flights delayed and thousands of passengers stranded across terminals. The disruption, caused by a malfunction in the Air Traffic Control (ATC) system, has thrown flight schedules into disarray and caused ripple effects across multiple Indian cities. According to Delhi Airport authorities, operations have been hit due to a problem in the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS), the software that handles critical flight planning data and coordinates real-time communication between aircraft and airports. “Flight operations at Delhi Airport are currently impacted due to an ongoing technical issue with the AMSS system that supports the ATC flight planning process. Concerned authorities are working to resolve the issue at the earliest,” the airport said in an advisory. Passenger Advisory issued at 19:00 Hours#DelhiAirport #PassengerAdvisory #DELAdvisory pic.twitter.com/tp2LpZC3mt — Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) November 7, 2025 The AMSS system plays a vital role in transmitting flight routes, weather updates, and clearance information between control centers. With the automated process down, ATC officials are now managing schedules manually, resulting in long queues, take-off delays of over an hour, and revised departure timings throughout the day. What To Do If Your Flight Is Delayed Or Cancelled Check official updates regularly Follow the verified handles of Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport), Airports Authority of India (@AAI_Official), and your airline’s X handle for real-time flight status and rescheduled timings. Arrive early at the airport With flight plans being updated manually, schedules are fluid. Arriving 2–3 hours before departure can help avoid last-minute confusion or missed boarding announcements. Contact your airline directly Approach your airline’s helpdesk or call center for assistance with rebooking, refunds, or alternate travel options. Airline counters at the airport are providing on-ground support to affected passengers. Keep all travel documents safe Save your boarding pass and payment receipts. These are essential if you need to claim compensation or a refund later, as per DGCA’s passenger rights. How to Claim a Refund Under DGCA guidelines, passengers are entitled to a full refund if their flight is delayed by more than two hours or cancelled. If you choose not to travel on the airline’s next available flight, you can request a refund under CAR Section 3, Series M, Part II. Airlines must also offer you alternate travel options at no additional cost if you prefer to continue your journey. Passengers who have already checked in are entitled to meals and refreshments while waiting for the rescheduled or alternate flight.
