New Delhi [India]: Around 100 flights were delayed on Friday morning at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) following a technical glitch in the Air Traffic Control (ATC) system, Delhi Airport said.
Passengers have been advised to contact their respective airlines for the latest updates on flight schedules.
In a post on X, Delhi Airport stated, “Due to a technical issue with the Air Traffic Control (ATC) system, flight operations at IGIA are currently experiencing delays. The ATC team is actively coordinating with all stakeholders, including DIAL, to resolve the issue at the earliest.”
The post added, “Passengers are advised to stay in touch with their respective airlines for real-time updates. We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused.”
Air Traffic Control (ATC) is a ground-based service responsible for managing and directing aircraft movements both on the ground and within controlled airspace.
Meanwhile, Air India recently introduced a new work model for its pilots called the “Flexi Contract for Pilots.” The model enables flight crew to opt for shorter duty patterns while ensuring operational efficiency. The airline said the initiative aims to balance pilots’ work-life preferences with scheduling needs.
Under the policy, Line Pilots and Line Training Captains on the A320, B777, and A350 fleets are eligible to apply. However, Junior First Officers, Type Rating Instructors, and Direct Entry Pilots are excluded.
The flexi contract offers two fixed rosters:
- Wide-body aircraft: 15 days on duty and 15 days off.
- Narrow-body aircraft: 20 days on duty and 10 days off.
Annual leave is aligned accordingly—wide-body pilots receive 8 privilege and 4 sick leaves, while narrow-body pilots get 12 privilege and 6 sick leaves.
The contract duration is 12 months, extendable at the company’s discretion. Upon completion, pilots revert to their original terms.
Selection will be made through an Expression of Interest (EOI) process, based on seniority and operational requirements. Exiting the program requires a three-month notice.
If a pilot is chosen for a fleet or command upgrade, they revert to their original contract from the start of training. Refusing an upgrade triggers the existing career policy on freezes. Air India also reserves the right to revert any pilot to their previous terms if needed, without altering their pay structure.
