1. What happened?

· A technical failure struck the airport’s air‑traffic control support system: specifically the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS), which relays flight‑plan data to controllers via the auto Track System (ATS).

· With AMSS down (detected on the evening of 6 Nov), flight plans could not be processed automatically: controllers were forced into manual procedures.

· The glitch occurred late thursday and carried into friday morning, resulting in a cascading disruption.

2. Scale of the delays & ripple effect

· At India’s busiest airport (IGIA handles ~1,500 flight movements daily) delays multiplied quickly. Reports vary: more than 100 flights delayed in early reports.

· TLater numbers climbed to 300 flights or even 800 flights reported delayed.

· Average departure delays of roughly 45‑60 minutes were seen.

· The impact spread beyond Delhi: airports in the northern region (Lucknow, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Amritsar) also experienced knock‑on effects.

3. Why such large disruption?

· The AMSS outage meant the automatic generation and distribution of flight plan messages to controllers was interrupted. Manual processing is far slower and introduces congestion.

· Delay in pre‑departure operations thus reduced throughput (take‑offs, landings) at the airport, creating backlog.

· Manual workaround introduced additional load, while the system was being restored.

4. Response by authorities & restoration

· Airports Authority of india (AAI), in coordination with the airport operator delhi international airport Limited (DIAL), engaged the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and additional staff to bring the system back online.

· By late friday evening, the AMSS was reported as “up and functional.”

· Officials warned that while the system was restored, clearing the backlog could take hours given the volume of flights affected.

5. Passenger experience & complaints

· Many passengers reported long waits: queues at check‑in, boarding gates, time spent on aircraft waiting for clearance.

· airlines such as indigo, air india, SpiceJet issued advisories urging passengers to check flight status. Some passengers raised frustration about inadequate communication, delays of several hours on board and lack of clarity on refunds/cancellations.

6. Broader implications

· The incident highlights the vulnerability of automated air‑traffic control support systems: even a single component failure had large operational impact at one of the busiest hubs in the world.

· Flight delays at delhi will have knock‑on scheduling effects throughout India’s air‑traffic network (connections, crew availability, downstream flights).

· While safety was maintained (no report of air‑traffic safety compromise so far), the operational resilience and contingency planning of ATC systems is under scrutiny.

Airlines, Hotels & Refund Rights: What Does a Delay Mean for You?

1. Airline obligations under indian regulations

· In india, the regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) sets guidelines for airline‑passenger rights, but there is no automatic right for passengers to claim free hotel accommodation solely due to flight delays by airlines.

· airlines may offer hotel vouchers, meals or transport at their discretion (or per fare‑class/contract) but it is not mandated for every delayed flight.

· In cases of cancellation or long delays, airlines are typically obliged to offer re‑booking or refund options.

· When the cause of delay is external (e.g., ATC glitch, air‑traffic control system failure) the airline often cites the reason as “beyond their control.” This can limit claims for compensation. (See many passenger complaints on this theme.)

2. What about hotel refunds or vouchers?

· If an airline offers hotel accommodation or vouchers and you accept them, you may still ask for the direct cost of accommodation (if you incurred one and airline agreed) however the right to enforce this depends on your fare terms, ticket class, whether the airline offered an alternate.

· If the airline does not provide a hotel, charging you for a delay‑related hotel stay is usually not supported unless the airline explicitly offers and you accept. Claiming independently is difficult and may require consumer court action.

· In this incident, where the root cause is a technical ATC‑system glitch (not airline fault), airlines may argue they are not liable for extra accommodation costs. They may emphasise help on ground support only.

3. Steps passengers should take

· Check your airline’s latest advisory and flight status before heading to the airport. (Many airlines updated on X/official site.)

· If your flight is delayed or cancelled, ask the airline for:

o Updated scheduled departure/arrival time

o Re‑booking options or refund possibility

o Compensation policy (if any)

o Whether they will provide hotel, meals, transport (especially for international departures or overnight delays)

· Keep receipts of any additional costs you incur (hotel, meals, transport) and ask for written communication from airline regarding any offers or denials.

· If unresolved, raise a complaint via the DGCA / designate nodal officer of airline / consumer redressal forum.

· Use the relevant government app or portal (for example AirSewa) to file your grievance.

4. Specific to this IGIA glitch incident

· As the root cause is an ATC‑system technical failure (not airline machine failure or crew failure), many airlines will likely treat this as a “beyond control” event.

· Hotel accommodation claims may be denied on those grounds unless the airline voluntarily offers.

· Nonetheless, you still have rights: delayed flights > X hours may qualify for refund or alternate flight; airlines must inform you of your options.

· Be especially vigilant if you had a connecting flight which you missed due to the delay — you may have additional disruption claims (though linking liability remains complex).

Looking Ahead: What Needs Attention

· Airports and ATC infrastructure need robust redundancy and fail‑safe mechanisms — this incident shows how a single system failure can ripple widely.

· airlines and airports should improve passenger communication in real‑time during mass disruptions: prolonged waits, minimal updates cause frustration.

· Regulators may consider clearer consumer‑rights frameworks for delays caused by systemic failures (ATC, infrastructure) vs failures caused by airlines themselves.

· Passengers should always check travel insurance (if bought) whether it covers accommodation and expenses due to delays—even if the airline does not.

· For travellers through delhi or other busy hubs, planning some buffer (especially for connecting flights) remains wise.

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, organization, employer, or company. All information provided is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information contained herein. Readers are advised to verify facts and seek professional advice where necessary. Any reliance placed on such information is strictly at the reader’s own risk.