ATC Software Glitch Behind Major Delays at Delhi Airport
High-latency ATS message failure caused disruption; AAI ordered to upgrade systems and audit CNS network
- Civil aviation ministry confirms ATC software glitch at Delhi airport caused widespread delays.
- High latency in ATS message processing impacted ATM automation, delaying critical flight data.
- 397 scheduled departures were delayed between November 6 and 8; AAI replacing AMSS with AMHS.
- DGCA orders server upgrades and AAI instructed to audit CNS equipment nationwide.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 4th Dec: The civil aviation ministry has confirmed that a software-related disruption in Air Traffic Control (ATC) operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport earlier in November triggered widespread delays, affecting hundreds of flights over two days.
Responding to an unstarred question in Parliament, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said high latency in processing and delivering Air Traffic Service (ATS) messages was detected around 11 am on November 6. The glitch impacted the Air Traffic Management Automation System (ATMAS), delaying essential Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Network (AFTN) messages, including flight plans, mandatory Flight Information Centre numbers and Air Defence Clearances.
While initial reports suggested nearly 800 flights were disrupted, the minister said 397 scheduled passenger departures between November 6 and 8 were formally recorded as delayed.
To prevent future recurrences, the Airports Authority of India has begun replacing the existing IP-based Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS) with a more advanced Air Traffic Services Message Handling System (AMHS) to enhance reliability and message processing speed.
On the question of financial losses, Mohol noted that airlines incur additional costs during disruptions arising from weather, congestion or technical failures, making it difficult to isolate losses attributable to a single event.
The AAI has also been asked to conduct a comprehensive audit of all Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) equipment across airports to assess condition, reliability and lifecycle requirements. Separately, the DGCA carried out an inspection of the AMSS system involved in the glitch and has directed the replacement of existing database servers with upgraded versions to strengthen system performance and resilience.
