Sat Nov 15 20:26:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text, followed by a rewrite as a news article:
Summary:
A major technical glitch in the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS) at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport disrupted air traffic operations on November 6, 2025, affecting over 500 flights. The incident highlighted the aging infrastructure of India’s air traffic control systems and the need for upgrades. The Air Traffic Controllers’ Guild (India) raised concerns about the strain placed on air traffic controllers during the outage. Experts emphasize that the AMSS is an outdated system and the need for a modern, cloud-supported AMHS/ATS integrated system. A Parliamentary Standing Committee report earlier in the year criticized the performance degradation of automation systems at busy airports like Delhi and Mumbai and their lack of advanced features. While the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has plans for upgrades, including a new pan-India AMHS and a shift to satellite-based navigation, the recent incident underscores the urgency of modernizing India’s air traffic management infrastructure.
News Article:
Delhi Airport Hit by ATC Glitch, Exposing Outdated Infrastructure
New Delhi, November 16, 2025 – A major technical malfunction in the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS) at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi brought air traffic to a near standstill on November 6th, impacting over 500 flights and raising serious questions about the state of India’s air traffic control (ATC) infrastructure.
The 24-hour outage forced air traffic controllers to manually manage more than 2,500 daily aircraft movements, placing immense strain on personnel. The Air Traffic Controllers’ Guild (India) voiced strong concerns following the incident.
“The AMSS serves as a core communication backbone, essential for relaying critical flight information,” explained Yogendra Gautam, of the Air Traffic Safety Electronics Personnel Association (ATSEPA) India. “The failure highlights the system’s vulnerability and the need for urgent modernization.”
Sources within the aviation industry point to the Delhi system’s reliance on older server architecture and legacy software, noting that while upgrades have been implemented, a comprehensive overhaul is long overdue. Experts suggest a move to a modern, cloud-supported AMHS/ATS integrated system.
The incident comes on the heels of a Parliamentary Standing Committee report released in August that was critical of the performance degradation of automation systems at major Indian airports. The report emphasized the lack of advanced, AI-enabled features found in modern ATC systems used globally, placing additional strain on controllers.
Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu visited the ATC Tower following the glitch to review operations. While the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has announced plans for upgrades, including a new pan-India AMHS and a shift to satellite-based navigation, the Delhi incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of aging infrastructure. The AAI is scheduled to replace the existing AMHS and AMSS systems and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast ground stations at 21 airports which utilise GPS and satellites for determining aircraft positions. Their installation at 15 other locations has been completed.
As Delhi Airport continues to rank among the world’s busiest, handling millions of passengers annually, ensuring the reliability and modernization of its air traffic control systems is paramount for safety and efficiency.
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