New Delhi, Nov 29 : The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Saturday issued a mandatory safety directive for Airbus A318, A319, A320, and A321 aircraft, instructing that no aircraft in India continue operations without meeting updated safety requirements.
The directive follows Airbus’ analysis of a recent A320 incident, which revealed that intense solar radiation could potentially corrupt critical flight control data. In response, Airbus has rolled out a software update aimed at mitigating this risk globally.
“This inspection and/or modification is mandatory. No aircraft falling under the applicability of this directive shall operate without compliance with the mandatory modification and applicable airworthiness directives,” the DGCA stated. Operators are instructed to update their compliance records accordingly.
Impact on Indian Airlines
Airlines such as IndiGo and Air India, which together operate more than 350 aircraft in the affected categories, will need to temporarily ground planes for the update. The software upgrade is expected to take two to three days, with normal flight schedules likely resuming by Monday or Tuesday.
Airbus has confirmed that both newer and older A320 family aircraft are affected. While newer aircraft can complete the update in roughly 30 minutes via a loading facility, older planes require additional hardware changes, extending the turnaround time. Globally, about 6,000 A320 aircraft need the update.
Air India Response
Air India confirmed that its engineers are working around the clock to complete the software and hardware realignment. The airline stated that over 40% of its impacted aircraft have already undergone the reset and assured passengers that there have been no flight cancellations so far. Minor delays or rescheduling may occur, and passengers are advised to check flight status online or contact the airline’s helpline.
Air India emphasized, “Safety is our top priority. Following EASA and Airbus directives, our teams are committed to completing the updates swiftly while minimizing operational disruptions.”
The DGCA directive underscores India’s commitment to global aviation safety standards, ensuring that the A320 family fleet continues to operate without compromising passenger safety.