Disruptions in Over 90 Flights at Chennai Airport: What Went Wrong?
CHENNAI – Passengers at Chennai Airport were met with frustration and confusion recently when over 90 flights experienced significant disruptions. The source of these interruptions? A widespread IT outage affecting critical airline operations.
The Day of Disruption
For many travelers, what began as a routine day quickly descended into chaos. The issue struck on a Saturday, an incredibly busy period for air travel, with flights both national and international being impacted. Passengers waiting to board flights found themselves suddenly stuck, and confusion reigned as communication from airlines lagged.
The Culprit: A Microsoft Network Outage
Investigations revealed that the disruptions stemmed from a Microsoft network outage. The failure impacted the IT systems that airlines rely on for various operations, including the crucial processes of check-ins, flight scheduling, and boarding.
IndiGo Airlines, India’s largest passenger airline by market share, was notably affected. Passengers faced significant delays and many were left with no choice but to wait at the airport as manual processes kicked in, a rare but necessary measure in such IT crises.
Passengers’ Frustration Mounts
The impact on travelers was immediate and profound. With over 90 flights affected, including 66 flights from IndiGo alone, thousands of passengers found themselves in limbo. The lack of timely and clear communication from the airlines exacerbated the situation, leaving many unsure of what to expect.
“It was utter chaos,” said one passenger. “We were just waiting, and nobody seemed to know what was going on. A simple trip turned into a nightmare.”
Authorities Spring into Action
In response to the unfolding scenario, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) actively worked to minimize passenger disruptions. Manual boarding passes were issued to partially mitigate the boarding issues, and communication was established with cyber experts to fix the root cause of the outage.
AI was crucial in relaying information to travelers, advising those affected on rebooking and refund procedures to ease the inconvenience caused. Ground staff and airline crews worked tirelessly around the clock to attend to passenger needs and maintain calm amid the confusion.
Issues Beyond Just IT – Safety First!
Interestingly, the day’s troubles didn’t solely involve IT issues. On a connecting flight to Kolkata, a 31-year-old passenger, Sarbojit Paldas from West Bengal, refused to wear a seat belt, causing a ruckus. Despite multiple requests from the cabin crew, Sarbojit persisted in his behavior, leading to further delays as he was ultimately deboarded and handed over to the police.
Sarbojit, employed at a shop in Coimbatore, had flown into Chennai and was en route to Kolkata. His disruptive behavior not only delayed the flight but also led to a continuation of his journey under police supervision. He was later let off after providing a written undertaking.
Returning to Normalcy
By Sunday, efforts to rectify the disruptions bore fruit. Flights began departing once again, and schedules slowly normalized. However, the magnitude of the cancellations and delays created a backlog, necessitating continued efforts to ensure that all affected passengers reach their destinations.
The government acknowledged the incident, emphasizing the importance of robust IT infrastructure and emergency response protocols. Essential to avoiding similar disruptions in the future is the ongoing evaluation and enhancement of current systems, ensuring they can withstand unexpected setbacks.
Final Thoughts
The collective stranded at Chennai Airport experienced a rare but significant inconvenience: from IT outages to individual disruptions. The incident underscored the intricate dependency of modern air travel on advanced technology and the importance of maintaining a responsive and adaptive support system to deal with unexpected crises.
For now, the skies over Chennai are back to their routine order, but the memories of those chaotic hours serve as a stark reminder of both the marvels and limitations of contemporary travel.
Priyanka 
Mehek