A320 Software Updates: 80% Completion in India – DGCA News
- Summary: Indian airlines IndiGo, Air India, and Air India Express are undertaking urgent software upgrades on thier A320 family aircraft following an alert from Airbus regarding potential flight...
- * Root Cause: Intense solar radiation potentially corrupting data in the Elevator aileron Computer (ELAC) - a critical component for flight controls.
- * Delays: Flight delays of 60-90 minutes have been reported at various airports.
A320 Flight Control Issue: Software Upgrade Analysis – November 29-30, 2023
Summary: Indian airlines IndiGo, Air India, and Air India Express are undertaking urgent software upgrades on thier A320 family aircraft following an alert from Airbus regarding potential flight control issues caused by intense solar radiation corrupting critical flight data. the upgrades are mandated by the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) and are largely complete, tho some delays and cancellations have occurred.
Key Details:
* Root Cause: Intense solar radiation potentially corrupting data in the Elevator aileron Computer (ELAC) – a critical component for flight controls.
* Aircraft Affected: Globally, approximately 6,000 A320 family aircraft are affected. In India, 338 aircraft require the upgrade.
* Timeline: The upgrade process began on Saturday, November 29th, and is scheduled for completion by 5:29 am on November 30th.
* Regulatory Action:
* Airbus issued an alert to global operators.
* EASA (European Aviation Safety authority) issued an Emergency Airworthiness Directive.
* DGCA issued an Airworthiness Directive to Indian operators.
Upgrade Progress (as of 5:30 PM, November 29th):
The following table details the upgrade progress for each airline:
| Airline | Total A320 Family Aircraft Affected | Aircraft Upgraded | Percentage Completed | Flights cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IndiGo | 200 | 184 | 92% | 0 |
| Air india | 113 | 69 | 61% | 0 |
| Air India Express | 25 | 17 | 68% | 4 |
| Total | 338 | 270 | 80% | 4 |
Operational Impact:
* Delays: Flight delays of 60-90 minutes have been reported at various airports.
* Cancellations: Air India Express cancelled four flights. IndiGo and Air India reported no cancellations, but acknowledged potential for minor delays.
* Upgrade Locations: Software upgrades are being performed at airline bases in Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata.
Further Considerations:
* While most affected aircraft globally require software upgrades, some may need the installation of a serviceable ELAC.
* Airlines are working to minimize disruption and complete the upgrades as quickly as possible.
– victoriasterling