Airbus Issues Precautionary Measures for A320 Fleet Amid Solar Radiation Concerns

Airbus has announced new safety measures for its A320 Family aircraft following concerns about solar radiation affecting flight data. Airlines like Air India and IndiGo are taking steps to update their fleets, leading to potential operational delays. Safety remains the priority as these updates are implemented.

Airbus has announced proactive safety measures for its A320 Family aircraft after recent analysis pointed to possible data corruption by intense solar radiation, the company stated. This issue could potentially impact a significant number of active aircraft in the fleet.

The announcement includes an Alert Operators Transmission (AOT) directed towards aviation authorities to invoke immediate precautionary actions by operators. The directive involves implementing software and hardware protections to maintain aircraft safety. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is expected to issue an Emergency Airworthiness Directive mirroring this alert. Airbus has acknowledged the operational disruptions that may arise and expressed regret for inconveniences caused to passengers.

Both Air India and IndiGo have notified passengers of potential delays and schedule changes due to the updates on their A320 crafts. Air India confirmed the requirement of a 'software/hardware realignment' for its fleet, urging passengers to check the status of their flights before travel. Meanwhile, IndiGo reassured passengers of its commitment to safety during these necessary updates, despite potential flight adjustments.

(With inputs from agencies.)