India’s DGCA ordered compliance with EASA’s directive on Airbus A320 software resets, impacting over 300 aircraft across Air India, IndiGo, and Air India Express. Air India confirmed no cancellations, only minor delays, while IndiGo aims to finish resets by Sunday. Engineers are working round-the-clock to ensure passenger safety.
India’s aviation sector is currently addressing the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) directive requiring urgent software resets on the Airbus A320 family aircraft. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has instructed carriers to comply immediately, impacting hundreds of aircraft across major airlines.
Air India’s Response
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Minor Delays, No Cancellations: Air India confirmed that while some flights may be slightly delayed or rescheduled, there have been no cancellations. The airline emphasized that overall schedule integrity remains intact.
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Fleet Reset Progress: Air India has already completed resets on a majority of its affected aircraft and is confident of covering the entire fleet within the timeline prescribed by EASA.
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Round-the-Clock Efforts: Engineers have been working continuously to ensure the modifications are completed at the earliest, prioritizing passenger safety.
IndiGo and Air India Express
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IndiGo’s Scale of Impact: With 200 Airbus A320 aircraft affected, IndiGo is India’s largest operator impacted by the directive. The airline is scheduled to complete the required software resets by Sunday, according to DGCA.
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Air India Express: Around 25 aircraft in its fleet are impacted, with compliance measures already underway.
Global Context
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Reason for Recall: The directive stems from concerns over the Elevator Aileron Computer (ELAC), a critical flight-control system. A recent incident in the US involving a JetBlue A320 highlighted risks of sudden pitch-down due to corrupted flight-control data.
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Worldwide Action: Regulators across multiple countries have mandated immediate compliance, underscoring the seriousness of the issue.
Passenger Assurance
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Both Air India and IndiGo have reassured travelers that safety remains the top priority.
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Airlines are working to minimize disruption, with only minor delays expected despite the scale of the recall.
Broader Significance
This recall highlights the importance of global aviation safety coordination and the growing role of software reliability in modern aircraft. India’s swift compliance demonstrates its commitment to international standards, reinforcing its reputation as a responsible aviation hub.
Sources: Reuters, News18, Times of India, Outlook India