Airlines warn of flight delays after Airbus orders urgent software fix

New Delhi, Nov 29: Airlines across the world have warned of delays and possible disruptions after Airbus issued an urgent directive calling for immediate modifications to thousands of its aircraft. The move follows as reported by BBC, the discovery that intense solar radiation could corrupt data linked to flight control systems, a risk that Airbus says requires a swift software update.

According to the BBC, more airlines are now reporting potential disruptions as Airbus begins recalling affected aircraft for the update. The recall applies to roughly 6,000 planes globally, nearly half of Airbus’s fleet, making it, as BBC’s notes, “a very unusual situation”.
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Air India and IndiGo have issued warnings of longer turnaround times and possible delays, according to The Mint. The publication reported that both airlines have advised passengers to check flight status before heading to the airport, noting that operations may be affected as Airbus’s directive is implemented. “The software/hardware realignment on part of our fleet will lead to delayed operations,” Air India said in a post on X, adding that it regretted any inconvenience caused to passengers.

Other airlines have also responded: American Airlines said about 340 of its planes are affected and warned of “some operational delays” but expects most updates to be completed today or tomorrow. Delta Airlines said it will comply with Airbus’s instruction and expects the impact to be “limited”. London Heathrow said its operations remain unaffected, while Gatwick Airport expects some disruption.

Airbus says the majority of affected aircraft only require a software installation, normally a three-hour process. But around 900 older planes will need computer hardware replaced and will not be allowed to carry passengers until that is done. Availability of parts remains a concern, and it is currently unclear whether replacements can be sourced in time.

BBC reported that the software directive primarily targets the A320 family, which Airbus describes as the “aircraft family of choice for airlines around the world.” These planes can fly up to 4,700 nautical miles (8,700 km) and seat between 120 and 244 passengers. The A320 also flies using 50% sustainable aviation fuel, a figure Airbus hopes to raise to 100% by 2030.

The aircraft features advanced turbofan engines that offer 20% lower fuel burn compared with previous generations, one reason why it remains central to commercial fleets worldwide. With thousands of aircraft grounded or awaiting updates, passengers across continents have been urged to monitor flight schedules and allow extra time at airports.