Flight operations at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) were disrupted on Saturday after a third-party data network outage affected check-in systems of several airlines. The issue caused widespread delays and forced airport staff to switch to manual operations.
What Happened at Mumbai Airport?
According to airport authorities, the outage began early in the day and impacted check-in counters across terminals. Passengers faced long queues and extended waiting times. Airlines, including Air India, reported operational difficulties due to the system failure.
The airport’s official account on X confirmed the problem, stating, “We’re currently facing a network failure across the airport. We’ve activated contingencies and are operating in manual mode to minimise disruptions.”
Air India’s Response
Air India issued an advisory to passengers, warning of possible delays. The airline urged travellers to check their flight status before heading to the airport and to arrive early to complete check-in and security formalities.
Later in the day, Air India confirmed that the affected systems had been restored. However, the airline also said that residual delays may continue as schedules return to normal.
Impact on Passengers
Travellers reported long waiting times at check-in counters. Many had to manually present their booking details and identification for verification. With contingency measures in place, boarding processes slowed down significantly.
Some passengers missed connecting flights due to the delays, while others had to reschedule travel plans. Airport staff were seen assisting travellers and providing updates on expected departure times.
Why This Outage Matters
Mumbai Airport is one of India’s busiest hubs, handling over 50 million passengers annually. A network outage of this scale can create a ripple effect, disrupting not just local schedules but also international connections.
Such disruptions highlight the need for robust backup systems and better digital infrastructure in aviation operations.
Authorities’ Measures to Minimise Disruption
To handle the situation, the airport activated its contingency plan. This included:
- Switching to manual check-in processes.
- Deploying extra ground staff to assist passengers.
- Coordinating with airlines for updated schedules.
- Issuing public advisories on social media.
Government and Industry Reactions
Aviation experts believe that the incident should prompt a review of IT infrastructure in Indian airports. Ensuring that critical systems have redundancy and quick recovery mechanisms will be key to preventing future disruptions.
While the cause of the outage has not been officially confirmed, some industry insiders suggest that it may have been related to a service provider issue affecting multiple airlines.
Advice for Passengers
Passengers traveling in the coming days are advised to:
- Check flight status online before leaving home.
- Arrive at least 3 hours before departure for domestic flights and 4 hours for international flights.
- Keep booking references and identification ready for manual processing if needed.
- Stay updated through airline and airport social media handles.
Looking Ahead
With systems now restored, operations at Mumbai Airport are gradually returning to normal. However, residual delays may continue for the next few days. Authorities have assured passengers that lessons from this incident will be used to strengthen operational resilience.
