Air India, IndiGo, And Air India Express Successfully Complete Vital A320 Fleet Software Upgrades Ensuring Passenger Safety From Potential Flight Control Issues Linked To Solar Radiation

Published on November 30, 2025

Air India, IndiGo, and Air India Express have initiated urgent software upgrades on their A320 fleets to address a potential flight control issue caused by solar radiation. This modification is crucial as intense solar activity can corrupt critical data that controls flight functions, potentially leading to malfunctions. While these upgrades have caused some delays, they are necessary to ensure passenger safety and maintain the operational integrity of the aircraft, preventing any risks related to flight control systems.

Indian airlines are in the process of upgrading software on their A320 family aircraft to address a potential flight control issue caused by intense solar radiation. This modification is necessary to ensure the safety and operational integrity of the aircraft, as it may otherwise compromise flight controls. While no cancellations have occurred, the upgrades have caused delays of 60 to 90 minutes across various airports.

The affected airlines, including IndiGo, Air India, and Air India Express, initiated the software upgrades over the weekend, addressing a significant issue identified by Airbus. The upgrades are being carried out on a fleet of 338 aircraft, with the majority of these aircraft already receiving the necessary modifications. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) data shows that, as of the morning of November 29, 189 of the 338 aircraft had been successfully upgraded. The remaining modifications are expected to be completed by November 30.

IndiGo, which operates a fleet of over 200 aircraft from the A320 family, has completed the upgrades on 143 of its planes. Air India has addressed 42 of the 113 affected aircraft, while Air India Express has completed upgrades on four out of 25 impacted planes. These upgrades are taking place at major airline hubs in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata.

The issue stems from the discovery that intense solar radiation could corrupt critical data, specifically the data linked to the flight control systems of the A320 family aircraft. Airbus issued a global alert after conducting an analysis on the problem, which was later confirmed by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The agency issued an Emergency Airworthiness Directive urging airlines to take immediate action to install serviceable Elevator Aileron Computers (ELACs), the crucial component that governs the aircraft’s flight control systems.

The required software upgrade aims to resolve this issue by ensuring that the affected systems are properly configured to withstand solar radiation interference. While the upgrades are ongoing, Airbus acknowledged that they would lead to some operational disruptions, which airlines have been managing by rescheduling flights and adjusting their timetables to minimize the impact on passengers.

Despite the disruptions, no flights have been cancelled, and both IndiGo and Air India have reassured passengers that the overall impact on the airlines’ schedules remains minimal. IndiGo, which operates more than 2,300 flights daily, confirmed that the upgrades have not led to any cancellations. A few delays may occur, but the airline stated that its network’s schedule integrity remains largely intact.

The software upgrades are being done as part of a larger global effort, as nearly 6,000 A320 family aircraft worldwide require similar updates. Although some of the affected aircraft may need additional hardware modifications, the software upgrades are the first step in rectifying the issue. The fleet-wide upgrade is essential, as Airbus has reported that the issue could pose a risk to flight safety if left unresolved.

Former pilots and experts have pointed out the seriousness of the issue. The ELAC system is responsible for controlling the aircraft’s pitch, which determines its altitude. Any malfunctions in this system could result in uncommanded movements, such as the aircraft pitching down when the pilot does not intend it. This issue was highlighted by a recent incident involving a JetBlue flight, which experienced an uncommanded pitch down that caused the aircraft to lose 100 feet in altitude. While the incident did not result in a catastrophic event, experts stressed that such issues could become far more dangerous under different circumstances, such as during takeoff or landing.

The potential consequences of this issue were underscored by the tragic crash in Ahmedabad several years ago, which highlighted the risks of uncommanded movements during critical flight phases. Fortunately, the recent JetBlue incident did not result in any fatalities, but it served as a stark reminder of the importance of addressing flight control issues proactively.

Indian airlines have been working closely with Airbus to ensure that the upgrades are carried out as quickly and efficiently as possible. The DGCA issued an Airworthiness Directive on Saturday, urging airlines to immediately implement the required software changes. This directive followed similar actions by EASA and Airbus, which had already taken steps to address the issue across Europe and other regions.

In addition to the technical aspects of the upgrade, airlines have communicated with passengers about potential delays, advising them to check their flight statuses before heading to the airport. While delays have been reported, airlines have emphasized that passenger safety remains their top priority, and they are taking all necessary steps to ensure that the affected aircraft are brought back into service as soon as possible.

In total, there are more than 8,100 A320 family planes in operation worldwide, including the A319, A320, and A321 models. With over 6,000 of these aircraft requiring upgrades, the global effort to address this issue will continue into the coming weeks. Airbus has made it clear that this software update is a crucial step in ensuring the safety and reliability of the aircraft, and it has been working with airlines around the world to mitigate any disruptions caused by the required modifications.

For now, passengers flying on A320 family aircraft operated by IndiGo, Air India, and Air India Express are advised to stay informed about their flight status and expect some minor delays. As the airlines complete the upgrades, they are optimistic that the fleet will be fully compliant and back to normal operations soon.