India's Airports Undergo Major Audit Following System Glitch

Following a technical glitch that delayed numerous flights at Delhi airport, the Airports Authority of India is auditing communication and navigation systems nationwide. High message latency in the system caused delays in November, prompting the government to initiate thorough evaluations and equipment upgrades to prevent future disruptions.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI), a state-owned entity, is conducting a comprehensive audit of communication, navigation, and surveillance equipment at all airports. This comes after a technical glitch with the air traffic control system at Delhi airport resulted in hundreds of delayed flights last month.

A malfunction in the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS) impacted the flight planning process, causing delays and cancellations at Delhi, India's busiest airport, on November 7. Union minister Murlidhar Mohol disclosed that issues with message delivery led to flight delays from November 6 to November 8.

In response to the technical failure, the AAI is auditing its equipment to assess operational reliability. Additionally, they're replacing the IP-based AMSS with a new Air Traffic Services Message Handling System to enhance efficiency and prevent future disruptions.

(With inputs from agencies.)