Power Outage Disrupts Services at Delhi Airport

Here are the key details:

• Duration: The power outage disrupted flight operations for approximately 20 minutes.
• Affected Areas: Boarding and check-in facilities of several airlines were impacted.
• Terminal: Many flights from Terminal 2 experienced delays.
• Cause: The Main Receiving Sub-station (MRSS) at Delhi Airport detected a significant voltage spike due to the tripping of a 765KV line.

Limited Impact, Swift Recovery

Thankfully, the outage did not affect any flight operations. Backup power systems kicked in promptly, minimizing the inconvenience for passengers. However, the incident did lead to delays and congestion at check-in counters and baggage claim areas. Additionally, the DigiYatra facial recognition system for faster check-in was temporarily unavailable until the power supply stabilized.

Passenger Experiences and Airport Response

Several passengers took to social media to express their frustration, with some reporting long queues and a lack of information during the outage. The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), which manages the IGI Airport, acknowledged the inconvenience and assured passengers that they are working to improve their response to such situations.

Importance of Backup Power Systems

This incident highlights the importance of reliable backup power systems in critical infrastructure like airports. Thankfully, the IGI Airport's backup system functioned as designed, ensuring minimal disruption to flight schedules.

Moving Forward

While the power outage was brief, it serves as a reminder of the need for continuous improvement in airport operations. DIAL can focus on enhancing communication strategies during outages to keep passengers informed and minimize frustration. Additionally, exploring alternative solutions for DigiYatra or similar systems to ensure they are less susceptible to power disruptions could be beneficial.