Post by : Badri Ariffin

An urgent global safety alert by Airbus is set to disrupt the operations of numerous A320-family jets in India, triggering immediate inspections and potentially extensive flight delays. Key airlines such as IndiGo, Air India, and Air India Express are impacted, with preliminary reports citing periodic groundings that affect hundreds of flights each day.

The safety alert is due to a risk of flight-control data corruption associated with heightened solar radiation. Industry experts estimate that roughly 200 to 250 of India's A320 aircraft are at risk, from a total fleet of around 560, making the subcontinent a crucial player in the operation of this aircraft type.

Issued on Friday, the Airbus directive mandates airlines globally to assess or swap the Elevator Aileron Computer (ELAC), a vital system for managing key aircraft movements. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has stipulated that only jets with fully functional ELAC units can resume regular flying, leading to widespread precautionary checks.

Indian carriers have swiftly started implementing these measures. IndiGo is actively collaborating with Airbus to follow the directive and mitigate scheduling challenges. Air India Express has disclosed that 31 of its A320-family aircraft will receive necessary updates, likely causing operational slowdowns and occasional cancellations. Additionally, Air India indicated that some of its planes will need either software or hardware adjustments, contributing to extended turnaround time.

This directive follows a concerning incident in October involving an A320, which unexpectedly pitched down while under autopilot. Initial analyses suggested a potential anomaly with the ELAC, prompting Airbus to carry out a more comprehensive technical review. The manufacturer highlighted the urgency of addressing the radiation-related data corruption risk.

Globally, approximately 6,000 A320 aircraft are under this safety notice, including more than 3,000 that were in the air when the alert was released. Solutions involve reverting flight-control software to earlier versions or potentially replacing hardware. Limited ferry flights to maintenance facilities are approved.

Passengers can expect to experience delays, alterations in schedules, and an increased possibility of last-minute cancellations. Authorities assert that no accidents have arisen from this issue thus far, and the directive is a preventative step to ensure safety in air travel operations.

Airlines are poised to make ongoing adjustments in the coming days as affected aircraft undergo necessary inspections and software updates.

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