The widely used Airbus A320 family of aircraft is facing a potential threat from solar radiation, which could corrupt flight control data. Following a recent incident, Airbus has mandated immediate software and hardware updates for nearly 6,000 aircraft. This directive impacts airlines worldwide, including India's Indigo and Air India. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has implemented an Emergency Airworthiness Directive, and global flight operations are set to be affected.
What has happened?
Airbus has identified an issue related to solar radiation affecting the A-320 segment of aircraft. The flight control system data, crucial for operation, may be compromised. Nearly 6,000 aircraft of the A320 segment are expected to be affected. Consequently, Airbus has demanded an immediate software update.
In India, aircraft from Indigo and Air India are reported to be affected by this update. During the updates, some flights may be delayed or canceled.
In a press release, Airbus acknowledged a recent incident involving intense solar radiation corrupting vital flight control system data of an A320 family aircraft. Recognizing the potential impact on a large number of in-service aircraft, Airbus, in cooperation with aviation authorities, issued an Alert Operators Transmission (AOT). Based on this, EASA has enacted an Emergency Airworthiness Directive. Understandably, these recommendations will cause operational disruptions. We apologize for any inconvenience and assure you of our commitment to safety, collaborating closely with airlines.
IndiGo's Response: 'Safety First, Updates Commenced'
IndiGo, India's largest airline, has stated on X that Airbus has issued a technical advisory for the global A320 fleet. We are actively completing the necessary updates, although some flight schedules may change. Passengers are advised to check flight status on our app or website prior to heading to the airport. Our teams are available 24/7 to assist with rebooking and updates.
Air India Remarks: Anticipated Delays in Some Flights
Air India has also released an official statement, recognizing the directives issued concerning the Airbus A320 family. Due to this, software and hardware realignments will be necessary for certain aircraft, extending turnaround time and affecting scheduled services. Passengers are urged to check flight status and contact 011-69329333, 011-69329999 for assistance. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.
Large Companies Worldwide Affected: Cancellations and Groundings Begin
The recall by Airbus has a widespread impact. Several international airlines have undertaken significant measures.
Jetstar Airways of Australia noted that due to software issues, multiple flights have been canceled. Korean Air in South Korea remarked that updates on 10 Airbus aircraft will be completed by Sunday morning. Japan's ANA Holdings reported the cancellation of 65 flights on Saturday. United Airlines in the USA disclosed that six of their aircraft are affected, with potential minor disruptions expected in some flights.
How Many Aircraft are Affected?
Over 11,300 Airbus A320 family aircraft are operational worldwide, with 6,440 being the A320 model. Industry sources estimate approximately 6,000 jets require immediate software updates, with significant hardware changes needed in many, leading to potential weeks of grounding.
This action is reportedly linked to an incident on October 30 involving JetBlue flight 1230 (Cancun–Newark), necessitating an emergency landing in Tampa. The flight control issue prompted the alert.
Source: aajtak
What Does EASA's Emergency Directive Say?
EASA mandates airlines and authorities to report any similar malfunctions or unsafe conditions to the EU aviation safety reporting system, even if the aircraft in question does not fall under this AD.
Impact in India: IndiGo and Air India Most Affected
IndiGo and Air India, being the largest operators of the A320 family in India, have already initiated updates. However, sources suggest an increase in flight delays, short-term schedule changes on several routes, and possible grounding of aircraft during software rollback/updates.
