Airbus A320 glitch hits Indian airlines: IndiGo, Air India to see possible delays, cancellations

By Admin

29 Nov, 2025

Introduction
India’s aviation sector is facing fresh turbulence after Airbus SE issued a warning about a potential glitch in its widely used A320 family aircraft. The advisory, which follows an incident involving a JetBlue-operated A320 in the US, has prompted Indian carriers like IndiGo, Air India, and Air India Express to initiate immediate checks raising the possibility of delays and cancellations for passengers across the country.

Background of the Issue
Airbus revealed that more than half of its active A320 jetliner family fleet requires a crucial software fix. The move comes after 15 passengers were injured when a JetBlue A320 experienced a sudden altitude drop due to what is suspected to be corrupted flight-control data. Airbus has linked the issue to intense solar radiation, which may interfere with the data used to maintain stable flight controls.

Scale of Impact Globally and in India
Airbus estimates that over 6,500 aircraft worldwide could need this software update. In India alone, there are around 560 A320 family jets across various airlines. Sources suggest that more than 200 of these planes will require either software corrections or hardware adjustments.

Expected Operational Disruptions
Since affected aircraft must be grounded for the update or inspections, operational challenges are expected. The A320 family covers A319s, A320 ceos and neos, and A321 ceos and neos many of which form the backbone of Indian fleets. The process may lead to flight schedule changes, reduced availability of aircraft, longer turnaround times, and in some cases, cancellations.

Airlines Respond to the Advisory
Indian carriers have issued separate statements acknowledging the issue and urging passengers to expect potential delays.

IndiGo, the country’s largest operator, confirmed awareness of Airbus’ notice and assured passengers that it is working closely with the manufacturer. The airline said it aims to complete the required inspections while minimizing disruption.

Air India Express has also begun precautionary actions, stating that although most of its aircraft are not impacted, compliance with global safety guidelines may result in schedule adjustments, including delays or cancellations.

Air India, too, acknowledged the directive and indicated that the required software or hardware realignments may lengthen turnaround times, affecting scheduled operations.

What Airbus Said
In its statement, Airbus said the issue relates to the possibility of “intense solar radiation” corrupting data essential to flight-control systems. The manufacturer clarified that the required upgrade must be carried out before the aircraft’s next regular flight, making it a mandatory and immediate procedure for operators worldwide.

DGCA Issues Mandatory Compliance
India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a strict notification to all Airbus A318, A319, A320, and A321 operators. The regulator has instructed airlines not to operate any aircraft that falls under this directive unless the mandatory modification or inspection has been completed.

The DGCA also directed airlines to update their Master Mandatory Modification Lists and confirm compliance under the Airworthiness Procedure Manual. The move underscores the seriousness of the situation and the priority placed on passenger safety.

Conclusion
With the A320 family forming the backbone of Indian commercial aviation, the required software upgrades are expected to cause operational strain in the short term. While passengers may experience delays or cancellations, the industry-wide effort reinforces a key message: safety remains paramount. As airlines work round the clock with Airbus and the DGCA, normal operations are likely to gradually stabilize once the mandatory fixes are completed.