An Air India Airbus A321 aircraft takes off. Airbus said a recent event involving an Airbus A320 family aircraft revealed that intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls following which it has identified a “significant number of Airbus A320 Family aircraft” that may be impacted. File image used for representation only.
| Photo Credit: Reuters
Air travellers can expect widespread flight delays and cancellations as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Saturday (November 29, 2025) barred airlines from operating certain Airbus A319, A320 and A321 aircraft until urgent software or hardware modifications mandated by an Airbus safety alert are carried out.
“This is to be ensured that no person shall operate the product which falls under the applicability of this Mandatory Modification,” the DGCA order states.
On Friday (November 29, 2025) evening, Airbus said a recent event involving an Airbus A320 family aircraft revealed that intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls following which it has identified a “significant number of Airbus A320 Family aircraft” that may be impacted. This would entail either a software or a hardware upgrade to ensure the fleet is safe to fly.
Airlines say software updates are being carried out in between flights, and some older aircraft that require a hardware replacement may have to be grounded.
Pilots have already been informed by airlines that there will be disruption to flight duties.
“Airbus acknowledges these recommendations will lead to operational disruptions to passengers and customers. We apologise for the inconvenience caused and will work closely with operators, while keeping safety as our number one and overriding priority,” Airbus said in a statement on Friday (November 28, 2025).
Published – November 29, 2025 10:05 am IST
