Indian airlines are facing massive disruptions as Airbus issues an urgent safety alert for its A320-family aircraft. IndiGo, Air India, and Air India Express have been affected, with several flights delayed or cancelled. The glitch stems from potential flight-control system issues that need immediate software or hardware updates to ensure passenger safety.
What Happened?
an Airbus A320 abroad experienced a sudden altitude drop due to possible flight-control data corruption caused by solar radiation. Airbus has ordered affected planes to undergo urgent software or hardware updates. In India, 200–250 A320-family aircraft of IndiGo and Air India are impacted, causing potential domestic flight delays.
Impact on Indian Airlines
The grounding of these planes has caused:
- Flight Delays: Airlines are extending turnaround times to complete safety updates.
- Cancellations: Some flights may be rescheduled due to aircraft unavailability.
- Passenger Inconvenience: Thousands of travelers could experience delays over the next few days.
IndiGo has stated it is “working closely with Airbus to ensure safety and minimize disruptions,” while Air India and Air India Express have warned passengers of possible delays and longer turnaround times.
What Airlines and Airbus Are Doing?’
- Inspections & Fixes:
Airbus has mandated that affected jets receive immediate software or hardware updates. While software updates can be completed quickly, some aircraft may require longer fixes if hardware changes are needed.
- Safety First:
Despite operational disruptions, Airbus and the airlines stress that passenger safety is the top priority.
- Coordination:
Airlines are actively coordinating with Airbus to complete updates as fast as possible.
Passenger Advisory
If you are scheduled to fly soon with IndiGo, Air India, or Air India Express:
- Check Flight Status:
Verify your flight timing via the airline app or website.
- Expect Delays:
Be prepared for possible changes in schedule.
- Plan Accordingly:
Keep extra time for travel and stay updated with notifications from the airline.
