System crash, flight disruptions could have been avoided, say Air Traffic Controllers

NEW DELHI: The system crash on Friday that disrupted hundreds of flights across India could have been avoided if the Airports Authority of India (AAI) had upgraded its systems on time.The Air Traffic Controllers’ Guild of India had warned in July that “current systems, especially at major airports like Delhi and Mumbai, have experienced performance degradation, including slowness and system lag, impacting operational efficiency and safety margins.”

Days after the AI 171 crash, the Guild wrote to MPs on July 8, stressing that it was “imperative that automation systems used in air navigation services be periodically reviewed and upgraded.”

The letter stated that “India’s automation systems must align with global benchmarks, particularly EUROCONTROL and FAA standards, which emphasise advanced integration, AI-enabled conflict detection and real-time data sharing.” The Guild said these critical safety issues, repeatedly raised with AAI management, remain unresolved to date.