Chaos at T3 after system glitch delays 21 flights

A glitch in the computerised check-in, baggage handling and planes' docking system delayed the schedule of around 21 domestic and international flights at Terminal 3 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA).

The airport's IT system, installed and maintained by airport operator Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), developed a snag around 8.20 am, which was rectified around 9.40 am.

Due to this, 20 domestic and one international flight departing from the airport were delayed by up to an hour and a half, sources said. Sources said the average delay was half an hour, with two flights reporting a 70-minute delay.

The glitch in the computer system led to malfunctioning of Common User Terminal Equipment systems, which streamlines the reservation system and facilitates check-in of passengers of individual airlines from a common terminal, forcing the airlines to do the check-in manually.

"The airlines and passengers faced problems in boarding aircraft. The boarding gates and baggage belts were not functioning properly, due to which everything had to be done manually," a senior airport official said.

The official said the Visual Docking Guidance System (VDGS), which gives information to pilots about docking the plane, was also not functioning properly, airport sources said, adding that aircraft had to be guided to their stands by marshals.

A DIAL spokesperson said: "A glitch was observed at T3 at 8.20 am, which was fully restored at 9.40 am. This led to some interruption in passenger processing and information display services. All systems are fully functional now."

The peak hours at the airport, sources said, are between 5 and 9 am. As most of the flights had left, only a few departures were affected, airport officials said.

ALSO READ

37 years on, Urdu school faces second eviction

Civic agencies could lose Rs 100 crore a year if Haryana buys Rajokri toll plaza: Delhi chief secy

Ghalib returns home, his haveli opens today as public memorial

Cross at your own risk