Glitch forces manual check-in causing massive passenger delays nationwide
Air travel across India hit turbulent turbulence on Wednesday morning, not due to weather, but a widespread technical failure. A significant airport system outage crippled check-in facilities at several major hubs, leaving thousands of passengers stranded in long queues and leading to frustrated scenes, particularly at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport.
Chaos on the Ground
Social media visuals from Hyderabad painted a picture of confusion and anxiety. Crowds of travelers were seen thronging airline helpdesks, waving tickets, and demanding answers regarding their departure times. The disruption was triggered by a global service issue involving Microsoft Windows, which reportedly impacted IT services and digital check-in mechanisms.
To cope with the digital blackout, airline staff were forced to abandon automated systems and switch to manual check-in and boarding procedures. While this allowed operations to continue, it significantly slowed down passenger processing, creating a domino effect of delays. The airlines primarily affected by this technical snag included major carriers such as IndiGo, SpiceJet, Akasa Air, and Air India Express.
Official Responses and Advisories
In the capital, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) issued a public advisory early Wednesday. They acknowledged the operational hurdles faced by domestic carriers and warned passengers to expect schedule fluctuations. "Our on-ground teams are diligently working with all stakeholders to ensure a seamless and efficient passenger experience," DIAL stated, assuring travelers that efforts were underway to minimize inconvenience.
Airlines Issue Updates
As the day progressed, the situation began to vary by airline. Air India brought relief to its passengers by announcing a full recovery. In an official statement, the carrier confirmed that the third-party system responsible for the glitch had been restored and that check-in counters across their network had returned to normal functionality.
However, IndiGo passengers continued to face challenges. The airline cited a combination of the tech outage, resulting airport congestion, and operational requirements for recent cancellations and delays. IndiGo assured its customers that teams were working hard to normalize the schedule and mentioned that refunds or alternative flight options were being offered to those whose travel plans were severely impacted.
Travelers are advised to check their flight status directly with their respective airlines before heading to the airport.
