The Airports Authority of India has resolved the issue but warns of residual delays as they clear the backlog. (Image: Ref)
On November 6, over 800 aircraft were delayed and several were canceled at Delhi airport due to a serious technical malfunction in aviation systems. The Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS), a crucial Air Traffic Control (ATC) network, was identified as the cause of the fault, which spread to Mumbai and Ahmedabad. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) later confirmed the system was “restored and operational,” revealing the sector’s strong reliance on digital infrastructure.
The disruption was triggered by a technical fault in the IP-based Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS), which serves as the communication hub between airlines and air traffic control. After it failed, all flight operations had to be handled manually, and the automated systems had to be abandoned. As a result, thousands of travelers experienced extensive delays and a significant slowdown.
To understand the scale of the disruption, one must understand the role of the AMSS. This system is not a minor tool; it is a key communication link that transmits thousands of messages every single day. These messages contain essential data like flight plans, real-time weather updates, and critical operational changes. To put it simply, the AMSS is what automatically transmits all the crucial data regarding an aircraft's movement—both in the air and on the ground—directly onto the screens of air traffic controllers, enabling effective and secure airspace management.
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When a sophisticated system like the AMSS fails, the air traffic control system must revert to manual procedures to maintain safety. “Manual processing” means that controllers have to log flight details on paper, perform spacing calculations by hand, and communicate with pilots and other teams mostly through voice channels. Although this method keeps operations safe, it’s far slower than automation, leading to congestion in air traffic—just like cars piling up on a busy highway.
The Airports Authority of India has addressed the public to provide information and to reassure travelers. They confirmed that the technical issue causing the delay in processing the flight plan had been resolved. Authorities engaged the Original Equipment Manufacturer (ECIL) to fix the system and sent out more workers to assist with the manual management of flight plans in response to the emergency. According to the AAI, the system is back online, though minor delays may continue until the backlog is resolved, after which normal operations should resume shortly.
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