Air India, IndiGo scramble to update fleet software after Airbus warning

Air India, Indigo scramble to update fleet software after Airbus warning

Air India group and IndiGo who control more than 90% of the country's air traffic, scrambled to contain the glitch caused by a solar radiation on India's most widely used jetliner, the Airbus 320.

On November 28 France-based aircraft manufacturer Airbus stated that an analysis of a recent event involving an A320 family aircraft revealed that intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls.

Airbus consequently identified a significant number of A320 family aircraft currently in-service which may be impacted. An estimated 340-385 aircraft of both IndiGo and Air India group are impacted.

European Authority for Aviation Safety (EASA) and Airbus issued directives for a mandatory software and hardware realignment on A320 family aircraft worldwide by Sunday. Airbus said about 6,000 of the planes in its A320 family are affected, which is roughly half the world's fleet.

The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Saturday asked airlines to avoid the A320 family aircraft until the Airbus-issued directives are carried out. "This is to be ensured that no person shall operate the product which falls under the applicability of this Mandatory Modification,” the DGCA order stated.

"Air India has successfully completed the reset on over 90% of its operating A320 family aircraft that were impacted by EASA and Airbus’ requirement for a software realignment. We expect to cover the entire fleet within the timeline prescribed by EASA, with safety remaining our top priority," Air India said in a statement.

Air India also confirmed that there have been no cancellations due to this task and there isn't any major impact on schedule integrity across our network.

"However, some of our flights may be slightly delayed or rescheduled," the airline further added.

#UPDATE

Air India has successfully completed the reset on over 90% of its operating A320 family aircraft that were impacted by EASA and Airbus’ requirement for a software realignment. We expect to cover the entire fleet within the timeline prescribed by EASA, with safety…

— Air India (@airindia) November 29, 2025

A lion's share of market leader IndiGo's fleet comprises the A320 family aircraft. It said that 200 of its aircraft were impacted by the glitch.

"Our engineering teams have already completed the mandatory Airbus safety update on 160 out of 200 AIB mandated A320-family aircraft," IndiGo said in a statement.

The remaining aircraft will be fully compliant well within the required timelines, IndiGo added. It also claimed that it faced minimal delays and zero cancellations due to this event.

"The unsafe condition could lead to an uncommanded elevator movement that may result in exceeding the aircraft’s structural capability and consequent loss of continued safe flight and landing,” the US's aviation regulator FAA said in its emergency directive.