Airbus flags solar-radiation risk in A320 aircraft; 200–250 planes in India need urgent software fix: Report

The A320 family includes the A320ceo, A320neo, A321ceo and A321neo.

Around 200–250 Airbus A320-family aircraft operated by Indian airlines will require immediate software changes to address a potential safety risk linked to intense solar radiation affecting flight-control data, a source told PTI.

On Friday, Airbus said an analysis of a recent event involving an A320 aircraft showed that “intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls,” prompting a global alert for precautionary action.

The source stated that the affected aircraft in India will need to be grounded briefly to install the software fix, a process that is expected to cause operational disruptions. India is one of Airbus' largest A320 markets, with domestic carriers, including IndiGo, Air India, and Air India Express, operating around 560 A320-family jets.

The A320 family includes the A320ceo, A320neo, A321ceo and A321neo.

Airbus said it has identified a “significant number of A320 family aircraft currently in-service which may be impacted.”

Acknowledging the inconvenience the corrective measures may cause, the aircraft maker said,
“Airbus… acknowledges that these recommendations will lead to operational disruptions to passengers and customers.”
The company added, “We apologise for the inconvenience caused and will work closely with operators, while keeping safety as our number one and overriding priority.”

The manufacturer said it has worked with global aviation regulators to initiate immediate precautionary steps through an Alert Operators Transmission (AOT), instructing airlines to implement available software and/or hardware protection.

“This AOT will be reflected in an Emergency Airworthiness Directive from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA),” Airbus said.

*With Agency Inputs