The Civil Aviation Authority requires maximum facilitation for passengers when adjusting flight schedules due to technical problems - Photo: Airbus
According to statistics from the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, 81/169 A320/A321 aircraft must update software according to Airbus' urgent order, which may disrupt flight schedules. The Authority requires airlines to notify early and create maximum conditions for passengers when changing flights and refunding tickets.
Flight delays and cancellations may occur on November 30 and December 1.
Airbus has just shaken the aviation industry by requiring software and hardware updates for about 6,000 A320/A321 aircraft worldwide , due to the discovery that high-intensity solar radiation could interfere with flight control data.
The Civil Aviation Authority said that domestic airlines' flight schedules may fluctuate in the next few days due to the urgent implementation of safety orders for Airbus A320/A321 aircraft.
This is a mandatory requirement from the manufacturer Airbus and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regarding the update of the ELAC flight control system. ELAC is the part that controls the altitude and direction of the flight.
At 11:00 p.m. on November 28 (16:00 UTC), Airbus issued an emergency warning, and EASA issued an emergency airworthiness directive EAD 2025-0268-E requiring all A319, A320, and A321 operators worldwide to replace equipment or update ELAC computer software.
Valid before first flight from 23:59 UTC on November 29 (6:59 November 30 Vietnam time).
That night, the Civil Aviation Authority held an urgent meeting with the airlines. According to the report at 5:30 a.m. on November 29, 81 out of 169 A320/A321 aircraft of Vietnam were subject to technical updates, most of which belonged to two airlines, Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet.
Therefore, some flights on November 30 and December 1 may have to be adjusted or canceled to ensure compliance with safety requirements.
The Airbus A320 family is the world's most popular narrow-body aircraft, specializing in short and medium-haul flights, with 150 - 180 seats. Thanks to its fuel efficiency, flexibility in operation and low operating costs, the A320 is used in large numbers by Vietnamese airlines, making up the main part of the fleet of Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet and Bamboo Airways.
Speaking to Tuoi Tre Online in the early morning of November 29, a senior leader of an airline said they "met all night" to implement a plan to update the ELAC software as requested by Airbus and EASA.
The airline is currently adding specialized equipment and supplies, and increasing technical staff to minimize processing time. Each aircraft needs about 1-3 hours to complete the software update. The problem during that time is that the aircraft is forced to stop operating completely, leading to a chain reaction throughout the airline's operations.
Just one plane being grounded can disrupt the rotation schedule of many flights during the day, especially during peak weekend periods when aircraft utilization is always very high. "We will adjust the operation plan to minimize the impact on passengers, but there will certainly be situations where flights have to be changed or canceled," he said.
According to Airbus, this recall stems from a serious incident on a JetBlue flight on October 30, when an A320 suddenly plunged due to a data error in the ELAC control system.
Initial investigations showed that intense solar radiation damaged the data on this computer, causing the pilot to lose control of the plane's descent and make an emergency landing in Tampa (USA), injuring many passengers.
Following the incident, an urgent directive was issued to review the entire A320 family. About 6,000 of the more than 11,300 A320 aircraft in service were subject to updates, making it one of the largest recalls in Airbus history.
Request the airline not to charge for flight changes, refunds or to arrange the nearest flight
To limit the impact of the incident, the Civil Aviation Authority directed the Vietnam Airports Corporation (ACV), Van Don International Airport and Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation (VATM) to coordinate to ensure safe and secure operations and maximum support for passengers at the airport.
Airlines need to urgently and fully implement EAD 2025-0268-E; review operational plans, adjust flight schedules accordingly and minimize impacts on passengers.
At the same time, timely information is provided on all channels, creating maximum convenience for passengers when changing their itinerary due to flight cancellations or changes in flight times, not charging fees for changing or refunding tickets or arranging the nearest flight, fully complying with the carrier's obligations when flights are delayed or canceled.
Globally, experts warn of widespread disruptions. Many international airports are advising passengers to check flight schedules. Although the update only takes about two hours, many airlines’ busy schedules mean there is a high risk of congestion and cancellations over the weekend.
The Civil Aviation Authority recommends that passengers monitor flight information, receive updates from airlines via apps, text messages or hotlines, and contact them for support in changing flights or refunding tickets when needed.
Units are required to promptly report any arising difficulties to the Department for direction in order to ensure absolute safety and maintain smooth air transport operations.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/cuc-hang-khong-yeu-cau-ho-tro-toi-da-hanh-khach-hoan-ve-doi-chuyen-do-su-co-ky-thuat-airbus-20251129081412034.htm
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