Airbus aircraft of Vietnamese airlines have completed software updates and are operating normally.

máy bay Airbus - Ảnh 1. — Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft of Vietnamese airlines have completed software updates and are operating normally from 7am on November 30 - Photo: TUAN PHUNG

Information from the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam said that at 3:00 a.m. on November 30, all Vietjet Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft had completed updating the ELAC (elevation and direction control) computer control software.

Previously, at 1:00 a.m. on November 30, all 19 planes Vietnam Airlines ' Airbus A320 and A321 have also completed updating the ELAC computer control software.

In addition to the 18 aircraft operating in Vietnam, Vietnam Airlines also performed software updates on an Airbus A321 aircraft being painted in Indonesia.

With the above progress, all Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft in operation by Vietnamese airlines have completed updating the ELAC computer control software before the deadline of 6:59 a.m. on November 30 set by aircraft manufacturer Airbus and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

Therefore, on November 30, the operations of Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet returned to normal, no longer affected by the urgent software update order from EASA and aircraft manufacturer Airbus.

Information from Vietnam Airlines said that immediately after receiving information from Airbus and instructions from the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam at midnight on November 28, the airline immediately activated the technical process. At the same time, it synchronously deployed software updates for affected Airbus aircraft at three main technical centers: Noi Bai, Da Nang and Tan Son Nhat.

The process is quick with full tools, software and instructions from the manufacturer.

The close coordination between the technical, operational and flight operations departments helped Vietnam Airlines complete the request ahead of schedule and minimize the impact on flight schedules. On November 29 and from November 30, the airline's operations were normal and fully met the safety standards of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam.

Previously, at 11:00 p.m. on November 28 (Vietnam time), aircraft manufacturer Airbus sent an urgent warning, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued an emergency airworthiness directive (EAD) requiring airlines operating Airbus-manufactured A319, A320, and A321 aircraft to replace equipment or update the ELAC (elevation and direction control) computer control software because the current software can distort data when there is high intensity solar radiation.

According to Airbus' urgent notice and EASA's directive, the update of computer control software for the above aircraft must be completed before 6:59 a.m. on November 30, 2025.

Immediately after receiving the notice, on the night of November 28, Director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam Uong Viet Dung held an urgent meeting with Vietnamese airlines.

According to a quick report from airlines at 5:30 a.m. on November 29, 81 out of 169 Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft of Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet were required to update the software.

Airlines have deployed software updates for affected aircraft on the night of November 28 and early morning of November 29.

Of the 81 affected aircraft, five needed to replace their altitude and heading control computers. However, the Airbus aircraft grounded due to the Pratt & Whitney PW 1100 engine recall had compatible computers, so the computers were removed for quick replacement on aircraft in operation.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, the implementation of computer software updates for Airbus aircraft was sudden and involved a large number of aircraft, but Vietnamese airlines have proactively responded positively.

Based on the assessment of available human, equipment, tools and software resources, airlines have proactively calculated, arranged scientifically, and allocated reasonably between flight schedules and aircraft downtime plans to ensure the maintenance of the operation plan and speed up the implementation of the instructions of the aircraft manufacturer and EASA.

TUAN PHUNG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/may-bay-airbus-cua-cac-hang-bay-viet-da-cap-nhat-xong-phan-mem-khai-thac-binh-thuong-20251130103202381.htm