Malware attack behind Delhi airport's technical snag that delayed over 100 flights: Report

Delhi airport

The technical snag in the Air Traffic Control at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) which has caused flight delays may have been caused by a malware attack, reported News18.

Over 100 flights were delayed at the Delhi airport on Friday morning due to technical problems with the air traffic control system and authorities are working to fix the issues.

According to the Airports Authority of India (AAI, flight operations at Delhi Airport are experiencing delays due to a technical issue in the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS), which supports Air Traffic Control data.

"Controllers are processing flight plans manually, leading to some delays. Technical teams are working to restore the system at the earliest," it said in a statement on X.

The national capital’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), the country’s busiest airport, handles more than 1,500 flight movements daily. It is reported that air traffic controllers are unable to get flight plans automatically due to the technical issues since Thursday evening.

The airport authority has confirmed the delays and advised passengers to monitor their flight status. An official statement from the airport authority said, “Due to a technical issue with the Air Traffic Control (ATC) system, flight operations at IGIA are experiencing delays. Our team is actively working with all stakeholders, including DIAL, to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”

The advisory also urged passengers to stay in contact with their respective airlines for the latest flight updates: “We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused.”

Authorities have confirmed that technical teams are working to restore normal operations as soon as possible.

Several airlines also issued travel advisories over the delay in flights.

SpiceJet informed passengers that ongoing air traffic control congestion at Delhi Airport may affect departures, arrivals, and connecting flights. The airline advised travelers to regularly check the status of their flights via its official website: spicejet.com/#status

“A technical issue with the ATC system in Delhi is impacting flight operations across all airlines, leading to delays and longer wait times at the airport and onboard aircraft. We regret the inconvenience caused by this unforeseen disruption, which is beyond our control, and appreciate your patience. Our cabin crew and on-ground staff at the airport are extending immediate assistance to reduce passenger inconvenience,” posted Air India on X.

A video posted by news agency ANI showed people queuing up outside Terminal 3 of IGI Airport.