Hyderabad Airport Technical Glitch Results In Chaos During Check-ins and Flight Operations Across India

Nationwide disruptions in airport check-in systems on 3 December 2025 led to long queues, delayed flights and angry passengers across India, with Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Delhi and Bengaluru among the worst affected as airlines shifted to manual processes while waiting for systems to stabilise.

Airlines and airport operators reported that a third-party technology outage hit key check-in and boarding platforms during Wednesday morning operations, with sources quoted by PTI confirming that several flights were delayed while staff tried to keep services running and manage crowd control at multiple terminals.

Impact of flight delays in India on major airports

Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport saw some of the most visible disruption, where a video showed a dense crowd packed around an airline helpdesk, passengers clutching tickets and phones, raising voices and pressing staff for clarity on departure times as the glitch slowed routine procedures and increased uncertainty.

At Bengaluru International Airport, operations were also heavily affected, with four flights delayed due to late inbound aircraft, while several IndiGo services were cancelled for operational reasons; overall, the airline registered 42 cancellations that day, including 22 arrivals and 20 departures, adding pressure on already stretched ground teams.

Airline responses to flight delays in India

Delhi International Airport Limited reacted early on 3 December 2025, posting an advisory on X at 7.40 am, warning that some domestic airlines were facing operational challenges that could result in flight delays or schedule changes, and adding, "Our on-ground teams are diligently working with all stakeholders to ensure a seamless and efficient passenger experience," as staff dealt with mounting queues.

Air India later announced that the disrupted third-party system had come back online and regular check-in had resumed across its network, stating on X, "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," signalling a gradual return to planned timings.

IndiGo acknowledged that the troubles around 3 December 2025 were part of a wider spell of disruption, saying, "We have had several unavoidable flight delays and some cancellations in the past few days due to various reasons, including technology issues, airport congestion, and operational requirements. Our teams are working diligently to ensure that operations normalise as soon as possible. Furthermore, we are offering alternate flight options or refunds to affected customer, as applicable," as the carrier tried to reassure affected travellers.

How flight delays in India unfolded at Varanasi and beyond

At Varanasi airport, passengers learned about the wider technology problem through a formal notice, which read, "Microsoft Windows reports major service outages globally. IT services/ check in systems at airports are impacted," and also confirmed that IndiGo, SpiceJet, Akasa Air and Air India Express were among the carriers hit at that airport, while Microsoft and the airlines did not immediately issue public comments.

With automated systems failing at several locations, airlines across India shifted to manual check-in and boarding, increasing processing times at counters and security points, as staff filled forms by hand and cross-checked lists, a throwback to older procedures that slowed passenger movement and made already busy peak hours more stressful for many travellers.

Airport / Airline Nature of impact Details

Hyderabad RGIA Crowding and delays Large crowds at helpdesks, passengers seeking flight information
Bengaluru Airport Delays and cancellations Four flights delayed; IndiGo reported 42 cancellations
Delhi Airport Operational challenges DIAL advisory on X about possible delays and disruptions
Varanasi Airport System outage notice Notice citing global Microsoft Windows service outages

Earlier tech faults behind flight delays in India

This latest disruption followed a separate technology failure at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport in November 2025, when more than 800 domestic and international flights were delayed after a fault in the Automatic Message Switching System, or AMSS, caused slow processing of crucial data and lengthened queues across terminals.

The earlier AMSS issue, which involved the IP-based version of the system, triggered a review meeting led by the Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, with the AAI Chairman, Member ANS and other officials present, and forced air traffic controllers to prepare flight plans manually using available data, a labour-intensive method that contributed to widespread delays and highlighted how vulnerable busy hubs are to technical faults.