A widespread software issue affecting Airbus A320 aircraft has caused significant disruption to air travel worldwide. Airlines across Asia are scrambling to implement fixes after a recall by the European manufacturer impacted thousands of planes. The issue, which involves a software glitch, led to groundings and flight cancellations, particularly impacting travel hubs in the United States and now Asia.
The recall encompasses approximately 6,000 aircraft, representing over half of Airbus’s global A320 fleet. This model is a cornerstone of short-haul air travel in Asia, especially in countries like China and India. Aviation regulators globally are following the lead of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) by directing airlines to address the software problem before resuming flights.
The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has instructed airlines to replace or modify the software controlling elevators and ailerons on A319, A320, and A321 aircraft. In India, aviation authorities reported that 338 Airbus planes were affected, but anticipated software resets to be completed swiftly. IndiGo, India’s largest airline, has reportedly completed the software update on 160 of its 200 affected aircraft.
ANA Holdings, Japan’s largest airline, announced the cancellation of 95 flights, impacting approximately 13,500 passengers. The airline, along with subsidiaries like Peach Aviation, is a major operator of Airbus A320 aircraft in Japan. The fix primarily involves reverting to an older version of the software, a relatively straightforward procedure that must be completed before affected aircraft can return to service.
Globally, around 11,300 single-aisle aircraft are currently in service, including 6,440 of the core A320 model. While some airlines anticipate minimal disruption, the widespread nature of the recall highlights the potential for continued delays and cancellations as airlines work to implement the necessary software updates.
