Delhi airport chaos has caused widespread disruptions with over 400 flights delayed, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and frustrated at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA). The delays were triggered by a major technical glitch in the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS), forcing controllers to process flight plans manually and resulting in long queues, heavy congestion, and shifting schedules.
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Understanding the Delhi Airport Chaos
On Friday, a technical failure in the Air Traffic Control messaging network paralyzed operations at Delhi Airport, one of the world’s busiest, with over 1,500 daily flights. The AMSS facilitates real-time communication, crucial for safe coordination on weather updates, flight clearances, and route plans. The breakdown forced the manual handling of these tasks, causing delays of up to an hour or more for numerous flights and sparking ripple effects across India’s northern airports.
What To Do If Your Flight Is Delayed or Cancelled
- Check Flight Status: Always verify your airline’s official website, social media handles, or the Delhi Airport portal for real-time updates before heading out. Flight timings are dynamic, so frequent checking is crucial.
- Arrive Early: Reach the airport 2–3 hours ahead of scheduled departure to manage last-minute changes and avoid queuing issues.
- Contact Your Airline: Approach airline counters or dial their helpline number at the airport for alternate options, rescheduling, or immediate assistance. Airlines like IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet are deploying ground staff to help minimize passenger inconvenience.
- Keep Documents Ready: Hold your boarding pass, payment proof, and any cancellation notice. These are critical to claim refunds or compensation.
- Monitor Official Advisories: Follow advisories from the Airports Authority of India and the airlines across all platforms.
How To Get a Refund
Eligibility: According to DGCA guidelines, you can claim a refund if your flight is delayed for more than 2 hours or cancelled outright.
Refund Request Process:
- Submit your refund claim through your airline’s official website or app, or by contacting their ticketing office if the ticket was purchased there.
- If booked via a travel agency or third-party portal, initiate the process through them; the onus of processing refund remains with the airline.
- Ideally, complete all documentation and requests within 7 days of the flight cancellation/delay for swift resolution.
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Timeline and Compensation:
- Refunds should be processed within 21 working days per DGCA proposals.
- Keep records of all transactions and correspondence to expedite your claim.
- Claims can include ticket cost, ancillary charges, and in certain cases, statutory compensation for extended delays and inconvenience
| Step | Action | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Check Status | Airport/airline website, social channels | The Independent |
| Arrive Early | 2–3 hours before scheduled departure | NDTV |
| Contact Airline | For options, rescheduling, or relief | The Indian Express |
| Keep Documents | Boarding pass, payment receipt for refunds | Air India |
| Refund Eligibility | For delays over 2 hours, cancellations | |
| Submit Claim | Via website, app, or office | |
| Follow Advisory | Monitor official updates from Airport Authority or airlines |
Final Recommendations
Delhi airport chaos may persist until the AMSS issue is resolved. Passengers should remain vigilant, leverage available digital resources, and assert their rights under Indian aviation law for refunds and compensation. Always double-check status before traveling, and document all airline communications for backup during claims.
This guide ensures you understand how to respond effectively to flight delays and cancellations during Delhi airport chaos and secure your rightful refundul refund.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Which 27 airports in India are closed?
Currently, there is no official widespread closure of 27 airports in India. However, due to ongoing disruptions like the recent Delhi airport technical glitch, some regional airports may experience temporary operational delays or cancellations. For the most accurate and updated airport status, passengers should check official announcements from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) or respective airport websites.
Q2: What is causing domestic flight cancellations in India?
Flight cancellations in India can be caused by multiple factors including weather conditions, operational challenges, air traffic control restrictions, and technical glitches such as the recent failure in Delhi’s Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS). Passengers are advised to verify flight status regularly through airline platforms Domestic flight cancellations in India.
Q3: What happened with the Delhi airport technical glitch?
On November 6, 2025, Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport encountered a severe technical glitch in its Air Traffic Control system’s Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS). This failure disrupted the automatic processing of flight plans, forcing air traffic controllers to process flight data manually. Over 800 flights were delayed or canceled as a result, causing mass passenger disruption and extended queues Delhi airport technical glitch.
Q4: Are there ongoing flight delays at Delhi airport?
Yes, flight delays have been reported at Delhi airport primarily due to the AMSS technical issue and the resultant backlog in processing flight plans. While the system is now functional, minor delays may continue temporarily as operations stabilize. Passengers should remain proactive in checking real-time flight updates Delhi airport flight delays.