Airbus has mandated urgent technical updates for thousands of A320-family aircraft, prompting significant flight disruptions worldwide, particularly affecting Indian airlines such as IndiGo and Air India.
Flight operations across the globe are poised for major disruptions following an urgent directive from Airbus, the European aircraft manufacturer. The company has ordered immediate technical updates for a substantial number of its A320-family aircraft, which includes the A319, A320, and A321 models.
This directive necessitates software modifications and, in certain cases, hardware adjustments to be completed before the next scheduled flight of each affected aircraft. The corrective measures were prompted by Airbus’s discovery that intense solar radiation could interfere with critical flight control data, potentially jeopardizing aircraft stability.
Industry estimates suggest that thousands of aircraft worldwide will require immediate rectification, including approximately 300 planes in India. The Indian airlines most impacted by this directive are IndiGo and Air India, which operate the largest fleets of A320-family aircraft in the country. IndiGo currently has around 370 A320-family jets, while Air India operates 127, and its low-cost subsidiary, Air India Express, has 40 aircraft from the same family.
Most of these jets will need the software update, which is expected to take several hours per aircraft. Although individual groundings are anticipated to be brief, the high daily utilization of narrow-body aircraft means that even minor delays can escalate into widespread flight disruptions. Indian airlines expect the rectification process across their fleets to take between two to three days, although the overall operational impact remains uncertain.
In an official statement, Airbus acknowledged the potential for operational disruptions, stating, “We acknowledge that these actions will cause operational disruption for passengers and airlines. Safety, however, remains our highest priority.”
Following Airbus’s announcement, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued an Emergency Airworthiness Directive. This directive mandates that all operators of affected A320-family aircraft complete the prescribed fixes before resuming flight operations. With over 11,000 A320-family aircraft in service globally, it is estimated that more than half are subject to this advisory.
The EASA directive was prompted by an incident involving an A320 that experienced an uncommanded pitch-down movement while the autopilot was engaged. Although the remainder of the flight proceeded without incident, Airbus’s preliminary investigation indicated a malfunction in the Elevator Aileron Computer (ELAC) system. If left unaddressed, such a malfunction could lead to structural stress on the aircraft due to unintended elevator movement.
ELAC is a vital flight-control computer that processes pilot input and manages the aircraft’s pitch and roll through its elevators and ailerons.
In response to the situation, IndiGo confirmed that it is already implementing Airbus’s instructions. An IndiGo spokesperson stated, “We are working closely with the manufacturer to carry out the required inspections and updates while minimizing disruption. Safety remains our top priority.”
Air India also addressed the issue in a post on X, noting that part of its A320 fleet will undergo necessary software and hardware realignment, which may lead to longer turnaround times and operational delays. The airline expressed its apologies to passengers for any inconvenience during this update period.
Air India Express has also confirmed that it has initiated precautionary measures. While most of its aircraft are not directly impacted, the airline warned that the global directive could still result in schedule changes, delays, or cancellations as safety procedures are implemented.
As the aviation industry grapples with these urgent updates, the focus remains on ensuring passenger safety while minimizing operational disruptions.
Source: Original article