Flight operations across several airports were disrupted on Wednesday morning after check-in systems unexpectedly stopped working, prompting airlines to fall back on manual procedures and slowing down departures. A source confirmed to PTI that a system outage affected airport check-in platforms simultaneously at multiple locations. The individual added that the disruption has already resulted in some flight delays.

Passengers at Varanasi airport were notified of the situation through an announcement that read, “Microsoft Windows reports major service outages globally. IT services/ check in systems at airports are impacted.” The message also informed travellers that manual check-in and boarding were being adopted while systems remained unavailable.IndiGo, SpiceJet, Akasa Air and Air India Express are among the airlines hit by the outage, according to the information shared at the airport. Neither Microsoft nor the carriers issued immediate statements in response to the incident. Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), meanwhile, acknowledged the operational snags on social media. Posting on X at 7.40 am, it said, “Some domestic airlines are currently experiencing operational challenges, which may lead to delays or schedule challenges. Our on-ground teams are diligently working with all stakeholders to ensure a seamless and efficient passenger experience.” Details on how long the outage may last or the scale of the disruption are not available as of now.This is not the first time airports are facing a technical snag due to Microsoft’s system outage. Back in July, a widespread 365 outage, which reportedly stemmed from a faulty update, caused major disruptions at multiple locations across the globe.