VOIWORLD/Business Desk
Passengers flying on Saturday may face delays and cancellations as Indian carriers work to implement urgent software and hardware updates on Airbus A320 family aircraft following a global safety advisory issued by Airbus.
Major airlines including IndiGo, Air India, and Air India Express said operations could be disrupted as they undertake mandatory realignment work on affected aircraft. The A320 family — comprising A319s, A320ceo and neo variants, and A321ceo and neo models — forms the backbone of India’s commercial fleet.
According to industry estimates, India operates around 560 Airbus A320 family aircraft, of which 200–250 planes have been flagged for immediate intervention. The required mitigation measures stem from a newly identified risk involving intense solar radiation potentially corrupting data critical to flight-control systems.
Airbus, in a statement on Friday, confirmed that elevated solar activity could lead to data anomalies in certain aircraft systems. The manufacturer said that airlines will need to carry out specific software updates or hardware realignment to ensure system safety, warning that the corrective steps would result in operational disruptions worldwide.
In response, IndiGo — India’s largest airline — said it is “aware of the notification issued by Airbus” regarding the A320 family and is coordinating closely with the manufacturer to complete the required procedures. Air India and Air India Express are expected to carry out similar checks, potentially grounding or delaying several aircraft during the process.
The development comes amid heightened solar activity this year, which aviation regulators and aircraft manufacturers have been monitoring due to its impact on navigation and avionics systems.
Passengers planning to travel on November 29 have been advised to check their flight status frequently, follow updates from their respective airlines, and arrive early at airports to factor in possible delays.
More updates from airlines and aviation authorities are expected through the day.
