An Air India Airbus A320-200 aircraft takes off as an IndiGo Airlines aircraft waits for clearance at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, India. Picture taken 7 July 2017. Photo: REUTERS
An Air India Airbus A320-200 aircraft takes off as an IndiGo Airlines aircraft awaits clearance at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, India. Picture taken 7 July 2017. Photo: REUTERS
Asian airlines have mobilized today (29 November) to rectify a software malfunction impacting their Airbus A320 jets, following a sweeping recall from the European aircraft manufacturer that has reverberated across the region, particularly during the bustling holiday travel season in the US.
The recall encompasses a staggering 6,000 aircraft, representing over half of Airbus’s entire A320 family fleet, which serves as the cornerstone of short-haul travel in Asia, especially within the burgeoning markets of China and India, where economic expansion has ushered millions into air travel.
Global regulators quickly aligned with directives from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, mandating carriers to address the A320 software issue prior to resuming operations.
This recall, issued to 350 operators globally, stands as one of the most significant in Airbus’s 55-year history, occurring mere weeks after the A320 surpassed the Boeing 737 as the most frequently delivered aircraft.
Remedy is straightforward yet essential
The US Federal Aviation Administration has instructed operators to modify or replace the software governing the elevators and ailerons on A319, A320, and A321 airplanes.
In India, the aviation authority reported that 338 Airbus aircraft are implicated in the glitch, yet indicated that the software reset is expected to conclude by Sunday. The nation’s largest airline, IndiGo, has successfully performed the reset on 143 of its 200 affected aircraft, according to the regulator.
Air India, with 113 airplanes under scrutiny, reported that the reset has been completed for 42 of its aircraft. Both airlines have warned passengers of potential delays over the weekend.
“Our schedule integrity remains largely unaffected,” Air India announced on X. “Nevertheless, certain flights may experience slight delays or rescheduling.”
Taiwan’s Civil Aviation Administration has directed local airlines to undertake inspections and maintenance work. Approximately two-thirds of the 67 A320 and A321 aircraft operated by Taiwanese carriers are estimated to be affected.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Macao has mandated Air Macau to rectify the issue, including rescheduling flights to mitigate passenger disruption.
Japan’s ANA Holdings, the country’s largest airline, canceled 65 flights on Saturday, foreseeing additional disruptions for Sunday.
ANA, alongside its subsidiaries like Peach Aviation, operates the majority of Airbus A320 jets in Japan, whereas Japan Airlines primarily utilizes Boeing aircraft, with no A320 in its fleet. Nationally, a total of 95 flights were canceled, as reported by NHK.
Globally, about 11,300 single-aisle jets are in operation, including 6,440 from the A320 family. The fix primarily entails reverting to earlier software versions, a relatively uncomplicated task, yet it must be finalized before aircraft can take to the skies once more.
October incident instigated recall, sources disclose
Jetstar, the low-cost arm of Australia’s Qantas, announced that some flights would experience delays due to the recall. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported significant congestion at Melbourne Airport.
South Korea’s Asiana Airlines has stated it does not anticipate substantial disruptions in its flight schedule, despite 17 of its aircraft being impacted by the recall. Its domestic competitor, Korean Air, is diligently working to bring 10 of its jets back into operation.
The Transport Ministry of South Korea indicated that upgrades for 42 affected aircraft are expected to be completed by Sunday morning.
Hong Kong’s low-cost carrier, HK Express, confirmed that it has upgraded more than half of its affected fleet and that flight operations are proceeding normally.
The world’s largest A320 operator, American Airlines, announced that 340 of its 480 A320 aircraft require the software fix, the majority of which is anticipated to be completed by Saturday.
Airlines in the US, including American, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, and United Airlines, are among the top ten operators of the A320 family globally.
Other airlines committing to the repairs include Germany’s Lufthansa and Britain’s easyJet.
Colombian airline Avianca indicated that the recall affects over 70% of its fleet, necessitating the cessation of ticket sales for travel until December 8.
Sources revealed that a dramatic loss of altitude on a JetBlue flight from Cancun to Newark on October 30, which resulted in passenger injuries, prompted the swift Airbus recall.
Source link: Tbsnews.net.
