Long queues, crowded counters at airports as IndiGo hit by network-wide system glitch | Business News
Various Indian airports had long queues and large crowds at IndiGo check-in counters on Saturday after the country’s largest airline’s systems were hit by a network-wide technical glitch early afternoon, which led to slower check-ins and longer waiting times at airports. The glitch, which IndiGo described as a “temporary system slowdown”, also hit the carrier’s website and booking system.
In a passenger advisory issued Saturday afternoon, the airline acknowledged the issue and assured passengers that it was working to resolve the problem at the earliest, while informing that increased wait times and longer queues are to be expected till the problem is fully resolved. Later in the evening, IndiGo announced that its airport systems were working normally, although achieving system-wide full normalcy could take some time.
“Our airport systems are up and running, and our airport services have eased out effectively. However, we kindly ask for your understanding as we work to restore our other applications. While it may take a little time to achieve full normalcy, we look forward to providing you with a smooth experience soon. Thank you for your understanding and patience,” IndiGo said.
The airline, however, did not elaborate on the nature of the technical glitch. The full extent of the impact of the “system slowdown” on IndiGo’s flight operations was also not clear. A few flights at some airports are learnt to have been delayed due to the slower-then-usual check-in operations.
From early Saturday afternoon, a number of irate passengers have been posting about excessive crowds at IndiGo’s counters at airports, as well as difficulties in booking flight tickets with the airline.
“What’s wrong with the new @IndiGo6E website? Cannot book a simple domestic ticket or pay by credit card. CEOs should be accountable to Board for customer glitches resulting in business losses due to major IT revamps, not the glorified coders posturing as C suite occupants,” economist Rathin Roy wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
IndiGo is India’s largest airline with a domestic market share—by passengers ferried—of over 60 per cent, and any major disruption in the airline’s operations can bring India’s entire civil aviation network to its knees. IndiGo, which is also counted among the world’s largest low-cost carriers, operates around 2,100 flights a day to over 85 domestic and 30-plus international destinations.
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