At least 100 flights were delayed early Friday morning at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) after a technical glitch in the Air Traffic Control (ATC) system disrupted normal operations. Delhi Airport officials confirmed the issue and said immediate steps were being taken to restore smooth functioning.
In an official post on X (formerly Twitter), the Delhi Airport Authority stated, “Due to a technical issue with the Air Traffic Control (ATC) system, flight operations at IGIA are experiencing delays. Our team is actively coordinating with all stakeholders, including DIAL, to resolve the matter at the earliest.”
The airport also urged passengers to stay in contact with their respective airlines for real-time flight updates, adding, “We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused.”
Air Traffic Control (ATC) plays a crucial role in aviation safety — managing and guiding the movement of aircraft both in the air and on the ground. Even a brief disruption can ripple through the system, affecting hundreds of travelers and airline schedules across the country.
Meanwhile, in a separate development in the aviation sector, Air India recently announced a “Flexi Contract for Pilots,” a progressive new policy designed to provide pilots with greater flexibility and improved work-life balance. The plan allows pilots on specific aircraft types — A320, B777, and A350 fleets — to choose shorter duty patterns without compromising operational efficiency.
The airline said the model aims to align pilot preferences with operational demands, offering options such as 15 days on/15 days off for wide-body aircraft and 20 days on/10 days off for narrow-body fleets. It also includes structured leave benefits and a renewable 12-month contract term.
Air India emphasized that seniority and operational needs will guide pilot selection for the program, with a transparent Expression of Interest (EOI) process. The move marks a significant step toward enhancing employee satisfaction, retention, and operational reliability in India’s rapidly expanding aviation landscape.
