IT Glitch Sparks Chaos at Hyderabad Airport, Delays Flights Nationwide

A widespread technical failure disrupted flight operations across India on Wednesday morning, triggering long queues, angry passengers and chaotic scenes — particularly at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA), Hyderabad.

At RGIA, dozens of travellers crowded the airline counters, holding up tickets and mobile phones as they demanded clarity on their flight status. Frustration mounted as check-in staff attempted to explain the delay, but many continued pressing for answers, leading to heated exchanges.

Officials say the disruption stemmed from a glitch in the check-in system, reportedly tied to a third-party software outage. Airlines including IndiGo, SpiceJet, Akasa Air and Air India Express were among those affected.

With automated check-ins unavailable, airlines reverted to slower manual processes — resulting in flight delays, missed connections and widespread inconvenience for travellers. For many, a routine journey turned into hours of uncertainty.

A day earlier, the national carrier Air India acknowledged the system malfunction, cautioning passengers to verify flight status before heading to airports and to allow extra time for travel. While Air India later confirmed the outage had been resolved, airlines have urged customers to check their booking status and plan accordingly.

This incident follows a similar disruption last month at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, where IT failures grounded hundreds of flights — underscoring the fragility of aviation infrastructure dependent on digital systems.