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Delhi Airport Controllers Master the Ancient Art of Handwriting to Guide Planes

29 January 2026 - IGI Airport, Delhi

Record date
29 Jan 2026
Location
IGI Airport, Delhi
The odd part

The world's most advanced air traffic control system that operates best when the computer is turned off and everyone uses ballpoint pens.

What happened

After the high-tech Aeronautical Message Switching System suffered a software meltdown, Delhi's IGI airport bravely transitioned to 'Retro Mode.' Air traffic controllers were forced to process flight plans manually for over 150 flights, proving that while India aims for AI supremacy, the nation's aviation sector is perfectly capable of running on paper, ink, and extreme anxiety. Passengers enjoyed a nostalgic 48-hour delay, reminiscent of a time before computers complicated the simple task of not colliding in mid-air.

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