New Delhi, Nov 29 (NationPress) – As a key market for Airbus' A320 aircraft, India is bracing for potential flight delays due to necessary software updates aimed at mitigating a safety risk associated with high solar radiation that can affect flight control data. IndiGo and Air India operate over 350 aircraft within this category.

The affected planes will be temporarily grounded to implement the software fix, leading to operational interruptions. The update is estimated to take between two to three days, with airlines hopeful of restoring normal flight schedules by Monday or Tuesday, per insider reports.

Airbus has indicated that a recent investigation involving an A320 aircraft revealed that intense solar radiation could compromise critical flight control data, which has led to a global advisory for precautionary measures.

According to Airbus, “Analysis of a recent incident with an A320 family aircraft has shown that intense solar radiation may corrupt data vital for flight control functionality.” The company has collaborated with aviation authorities to prompt immediate precautionary actions from operators to ensure safe flight operations.

Airbus has identified a notable number of in-service A320 family aircraft that may be impacted. Newer models can receive the update in about thirty minutes via a loading facility, while older A320s require additional hardware modifications, extending their turnaround time.

Airbus has acknowledged that these measures will inevitably result in operational disruptions for passengers and clients and has expressed its apologies for the inconvenience.

In conjunction with global aviation regulators, Airbus has initiated immediate precautionary steps through an Alert Operators Transmission (AOT), urging airlines to implement available software and/or hardware protections. This AOT will be included in an Emergency Airworthiness Directive from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).