Delhi Airport’s October Chaos: A System Failure Foretold
A major technical glitch at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) on October 27 caused severe flight disruptions, delaying over 100 flights and leaving passengers stranded. Now, air traffic controllers (ATCs) reveal that critical system issues were flagged as early as July—but no action was taken.
The October 27 Breakdown: What Went Wrong?
Last Friday, a software failure in Delhi Airport’s Air Traffic Control (ATC) automation system led to delays of up to three hours for departing flights. Passengers vented their frustration on social media as airlines struggled to manage the chaos.
While the Airports Authority of India (AAI) initially called it a “minor software bug,” insiders say the problem was long-ignored—with near-misses occurring due to system lags.
ATCs Raised Red Flags in July
Multiple ATC sources told NextMinuteNews that recurring malfunctions in the Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control System (ASMGCS)—which manages aircraft movements on the ground—were reported months ago.
- July 2023: Controllers noted system freezes and incorrect aircraft positioning.
- Near-misses occurred due to delayed alerts.
- Warnings sent to AAI but no repairs or upgrades followed.
“We escalated it through official channels, but nothing changed,” said one ATC officer.
Why Were the Warnings Ignored?
Experts blame systemic negligence in India’s rapidly expanding aviation sector.
- Delhi Airport handles 1,400+ flights daily—even minor glitches cause chaos.
- Infrastructure upgrades lag behind air traffic growth.
- Reactive (not proactive) maintenance leads to preventable failures.
Aviation analyst Captain Mohan Ranganathan said, “Ignoring ATC warnings for months is unacceptable. This was avoidable.”
Passenger Safety Concerns Grow
This incident follows other technical failures, like Mumbai Airport’s May 2023 server outage, raising doubts about India’s aviation reliability.
“How can we trust airports if basic ATC systems keep failing?” asked frequent flyer Ritu Sharma.
What’s Being Done Now?
- DGCA investigating the October 27 failure.
- Experts demand modernization of ATC tech and real-time monitoring.
- Predictive maintenance needed to prevent future crises.
Former AAI executive Sanjay Sahni warned, “Probes aren’t enough. The system needs urgent upgrades.”
Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Indian Aviation
The Delhi Airport glitch exposes deep-rooted infrastructure gaps. With air traffic rising, authorities must:
✔️ Modernize ATC systems
✔️ Improve maintenance protocols
✔️ Listen to frontline staff warnings
Ignoring these issues risks more than just delays—it endangers lives.
Stay updated with NextMinuteNews for the latest developments.
