A major system breakdown threw air travel off track late Tuesday, after a check-in glitch affected several airlines and delayed flights across India. Passengers waited in long queues until Air India announced the external system was back to normal.
What Exactly Went Wrong in Air India?
The trouble stemmed from a failure in a ‘third-party system’ that handles passenger check-ins. This external service, not owned by Air India, is used by several airlines. When it malfunctioned, it triggered a chain of delays, slowing or stopping check-ins for many carriers. Air India suffered the worst impact, resulting in long flight delays.
How Did the Airline Respond?
Air India’s social media posts captured the night’s frustration and later relief. At first, the airline admitted to the widespread disruption, telling passengers to expect delays and check their flight status. Airport teams were deployed to handle crowds manually. After hours of work, the final update came: “The third-party system has been fully restored, and check-in at all airports is functioning normally. All our flights are operating as per schedule. We thank our passengers for their understanding.”
A third-party system disruption has been affecting check-in systems at various airports, resulting in delays across multiple airlines, including Air India.
Our airport teams are working diligently to ensure a smooth check-in experience for all passengers. While…— Air India (@airindia) December 2, 2025
Is This a Recurring Problem for Indian Aviation?
Frequent flyers might have felt a sense of déjà vu. This incident echoes a major technical snag just last month at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. In that incident, a fault in the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS) delayed more than 400 flights. Air traffic controllers had to prepare flight plans by hand, creating huge slowdowns. Though Tuesday’s glitch was different, it shows how dependent India’s aviation system is on critical shared technology.
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What Should Passengers Do During Such Disruptions?
Airlines consistently advise a standard protocol during system-wide issues. People flying are asked to review their flight status online or through the airline’s app ahead of their airport visit. Coming earlier than usual is wise, given the chances of manual delays. Following the airline’s social media channels can provide real-time alerts in such times.
