Air India Issues Delay Warning After Check-In System Outage
Passengers flying with Air India faced major disruptions on Thursday after a third-party network outage crippled the airline’s check-in systems, causing long queues and flight delays nationwide. Although services have been restored, the carrier warns of residual delays as it clears the backlog.
What Caused the Disruption?
A technical failure in a third-party IT system—critical for passenger check-in and boarding—brought operations to a near halt for several hours. The outage forced ground staff to process travelers manually, leading to delays at major airports like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.
Air India confirmed the issue in a statement:
“A third-party network outage disrupted our check-in systems this morning. While resolved, delays may persist as we normalize operations. We apologize for the inconvenience.”
Passenger Frustrations Surface
The outage sparked chaos at airports, with travelers taking to social media to voice complaints:
– “Stuck at Delhi Airport for 2+ hours—zero updates from Air India!”
– “Missed my connecting flight due to manual check-in delays in Mumbai.”
Some passengers received handwritten boarding passes as staff struggled to manage the crisis.
Systems Restored, But Delays Expected
Though the issue is fixed, Air India advises passengers to:
✔ Arrive early—at least 3 hours before departure.
✔ Verify flight status via the airline’s website/app.
✔ Contact customer care for rebooking assistance if needed.
Broader IT Vulnerabilities Exposed
This isn’t Air India’s first IT meltdown—a 2023 system failure caused similar delays. Aviation analysts note that reliance on third-party vendors leaves airlines prone to cascading disruptions.
“Global carriers face these risks. Even minor glitches can paralyze operations,” said an industry expert.
Key Takeaways for Travelers
- Check real-time updates before heading to the airport.
- Allow extra time for check-in and security.
- Monitor Air India’s alerts for further advisories.
Looking Ahead
Under Tata Group’s ownership, Air India aims to modernize its infrastructure. However, Thursday’s outage highlights ongoing challenges in upgrading legacy systems.
Stay updated with NextMinuteNews for the latest developments.
