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  2. Navitaire system outage causes check-in delays in India

Navitaire system outage causes check-in delays in India

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Possibly eligible for compensation

By Alice Mariscotti-Wyatt

Last updated on 20 February 2026

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Affected airports

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Affected airlines

What Happened

A short Navitaire IT system outage on 19 February disrupted airline check-in and boarding across India. IndiGo, Akasa Air, and SpiceJet were affected, with Delhi and Mumbai airports seeing queues and delays as staff switched to manual processing.

The outage occurred between 6:45–7:28 a.m. IST and again from 8:10–8:25 a.m. IST, before services were restored. Airlines reported delays but no widespread cancellations. Navitaire cited network instability from a planned maintenance change.

Passengers affected by this flight disruption may be eligible for compensation of up to €600 under passenger rights regulations. Eligibility depends on the circumstances of the disruption.

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Flight Disruption Details

Two brief outages of the Navitaire IT system on 19 February 2026 disrupted airline operations across India and had knock-on effects in parts of the Asia-Pacific region and Europe. In India, low-cost carriers that use Navitaire—IndiGo, Akasa Air, and SpiceJet—were affected, while Air India, which operates on a separate platform, was largely unaffected.

The disruption occurred in two intervals: approximately 6:45 a.m. to 7:28 a.m. IST, followed by intermittent issues between 8:10 a.m. and 8:25 a.m. IST. During these windows, automated check-in kiosks and some departure processes went offline, prompting airlines and airport staff to switch to manual check-in and boarding procedures.

Major Indian hubs, including Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, experienced congestion and delays, particularly during the morning peak. Long queues formed at check-in counters as systems were worked around manually. Despite operational disruption, airlines implemented contingency procedures to keep flights moving, and there were delays reported without widespread cancellations.

Officials in Delhi noted that the outage coincided with increased operational pressure linked to the AI Summit 2026, including multiple VIP movements. A Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) imposing temporary flight restrictions around Delhi compounded the congestion during the same period.

Navitaire attributed the incident to unexpected network instability triggered by a planned maintenance change. Technical teams responded immediately, and services were restored to normal roughly 50 minutes after the first issues began. The company said all systems were operating normally after resolution.

Know your rights

These are your air passenger rights

When your flight's disrupted, you have rights. Most passenger protection laws cover the following:

Rerouting or refund

If your flight is canceled, your airline must provide an alternative. Some laws say you can choose a full refund instead.

Food and essential care

Providing food and drinks is a basic right under many regulations. Typically after a delay of a few hours.

Accommodation

Some passenger rights say the airline must provide accommodation when your journey is delayed overnight.

Compensation

Good passenger rights ensure passengers get fairly compensated for delays and cancellations. Try our compensation check and find out how much money we can get you.

This advice is provided to help you if your flight is delayed or canceled. However, the exact care and compensation you are entitled to will depend on your specific circumstances and flight. Always follow the directions of your airline, particularly with regard to check-in and boarding times.

Quick facts

Summary

Disruption

Delay

Cause

IT problem

Status

Past disruption

Compensation

Possibly eligible for compensation

Airlines affected

IndiGo, Akasa Air, Air India Express, SpiceJet

Airports affected

Indira Gandhi International Airport, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport

Start date

2026-02-19

End date

2026-02-19

Checked by

Alice Mariscotti-Wyatt

Date updated

20 February 2026

What To Do If Your Flight Is Cancelled

If you're traveling to or from the European Union, here's what to do when your flight is unexpectedly scrubbed:

Collect proof that your flight was canceled, e.g. boarding pass, vouchers and any other travel documents.

Get the airline to provide written confirmation of the cancellation and reasons behind it.

Request an alternate flight to your destination - or a refund.

Make a note of the arrival time at your destination.

Ask the airline to pay for your meals and refreshments.

Don't sign anything or accept any offers that may waive your rights.

Get the airline to provide you with a hotel room, if needed.

Keep your receipts if your canceled flight ends up costing you extra money.

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