Asian airlines are urgently addressing a software glitch affecting their Airbus A320 jets, following a significant recall by the European aircraft manufacturer. This recall has resulted in the grounding of thousands of planes across the region, coinciding with a peak travel period in the United States. The recall impacts approximately 6,000 aircraft, representing over half of the global A320 family fleet, which plays a crucial role in short-haul aviation, particularly in rapidly growing markets like China and India.
Regulatory authorities worldwide have echoed the directives of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, mandating that operators rectify the A320 software issue before resuming flights. This recall is notable for being one of the largest in Airbus’s 55-year history, occurring shortly after the A320 surpassed the Boeing 737 as the most-delivered aircraft model.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has instructed airlines to replace or modify the software controlling the elevators and ailerons on A319, A320, and A321 models. In India, the national aviation regulator reported that 338 Airbus aircraft were impacted by the software glitch, with assurances that fixes would be completed by October 8, 2023. India’s largest airline, IndiGo, has successfully completed software resets on 143 of its 200 affected aircraft, while Air India, with 113 affected planes, has reset 42 of them. Both airlines have cautioned passengers about possible delays.
Taiwan’s Civil Aviation Administration is also taking action, requiring airlines to conduct inspections and maintenance. It estimates that approximately two-thirds of the 67 A320 and A321 aircraft operated by Taiwanese carriers are affected. In Japan, ANA Holdings, the country’s largest airline, cancelled 65 flights on Saturday, with expectations of further disruptions on Sunday. ANA, along with its subsidiaries including Peach Aviation, operates the highest number of Airbus A320 jets in Japan, while competitor Japan Airlines, which primarily flies Boeing models, is not affected by this recall.
Nationwide, around 95 flights were cancelled in Japan, according to public broadcaster NHK. Globally, there are about 11,300 single-aisle A320 jets in service, with 6,440 belonging to the core A320 model. The corrective measures primarily involve reverting to earlier software versions. Although this process is relatively straightforward, it must be executed before any affected planes can return to service.
In Australia, Jetstar, a budget carrier affiliated with Qantas, has reported that some of its flights are impacted by the recall, resulting in travel disruptions at various airports. However, the airline anticipates that all affected aircraft will be operational by Sunday. In South Korea, Asiana Airlines has stated that it does not expect significant disruptions, with only 17 aircraft impacted, while its domestic competitor, Korean Air, is working to restore 10 aircraft to service.
Among the world’s largest A320 operators is American Airlines, which reported that 340 of its 480 A320 aircraft require the software fix, most of which it expects to complete by Saturday. Other major operators such as Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, and United Airlines are also affected by the recall. European carriers like Lufthansa and easyJet have confirmed they will implement the necessary repairs.
In Colombia, Avianca has stated that the recall affects more than 70 percent of its fleet, which has led the airline to suspend ticket sales for flights through December 8. The ripple effects of this recall highlight the interconnected nature of global aviation and the challenges that arise from technical issues, especially during peak travel seasons.
