India’s DGCA has ordered airlines to ground Airbus A320-family aircraft until safety modifications mandated by EASA are completed. Over 350 planes in India are affected, causing delays and cancellations. The directive follows a JetBlue incident, with regulators prioritizing passenger safety over schedules to ensure compliance with global standards.
India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has issued an urgent directive instructing airlines not to operate Airbus A320 family aircraft until mandatory safety modifications are completed. The order follows an emergency airworthiness directive from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which flagged risks linked to the Elevator Aileron Computer (ELAC) — a critical system controlling pitch and roll functions.
Key Highlights
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Immediate Suspension: Airlines including IndiGo, Air India, and Air India Express have been told to ground affected aircraft until inspections and upgrades are carried out.
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Scale of Impact: Over 350 A320-family jets in India are expected to undergo modifications, leading to potential delays and cancellations across domestic and international routes.
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Global Context: The directive stems from a serious incident involving a JetBlue A320 in October, which experienced sudden pitch-down linked to flight-control data corruption.
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Safety First: DGCA emphasized strict compliance with EASA timelines and procedures, prioritizing passenger safety over operational schedules.
This move highlights India’s commitment to global aviation safety standards, even as airlines brace for short-term disruptions.
Sources: News18, Outlook India, National Herald, Times of India