Indian Airlines Complete Airbus Safety Upgrades Following International Aviation Directive

Indian aviation authorities have reported substantial progress in implementing mandatory safety upgrades across the domestic fleet, following an emergency directive issued after a concerning incident involving a United States-based airline.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) announced on Saturday that over 55 percent of the 338 affected Airbus aircraft operated by Indian carriers have successfully completed required modifications, with full compliance expected within the regulatory timeline.

Systematic Response to International Safety Concerns

The comprehensive upgrade programme was initiated following an Emergency Airworthiness Directive from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The directive was prompted by a serious incident on October 30, when a JetBlue Airbus A320 experienced an uncommanded pitch-down manoeuvre during a flight from Cancun to Newark, resulting in passenger injuries and an emergency diversion to Tampa.

Preliminary investigations by Airbus identified a potential malfunction in the Elevator Aileron Computer (ELAC) flight control system as the probable cause. In response, the aircraft manufacturer issued an Alert Operators Transmission on November 28, providing specific instructions for software modifications or component replacement.

Coordinated Implementation Across Major Carriers

The affected fleet comprises aircraft from India's three primary carriers: 200 IndiGo aircraft, 113 Air India aircraft, and 25 Air India Express aircraft. Each carrier has established comprehensive action plans to ensure compliance with the mandatory modifications.

IndiGo has demonstrated the most advanced progress, completing software upgrades on 143 of its 200 affected aircraft. The airline's operations across base stations in Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata continue without anticipated cancellations, with full compliance expected before the November 30 deadline.

Air India has completed upgrades on 42 of its 113 affected aircraft, which include 104 A320 NEO variants and nine A320 CEO models. The carrier's engineering teams are operating continuously across multiple stations, with the airline expressing confidence in meeting regulatory requirements without service disruptions.

Air India Express has completed modifications on four of its 25 affected aircraft. While the airline anticipates minor delays, no cancellations are expected, with all remaining work scheduled for completion by Sunday morning.

Regulatory Oversight and Industry Coordination

The DGCA has maintained close supervision throughout the implementation process, issuing a Mandatory Modification directive on November 29 that prescribes specific actions required for continued safe aircraft operation.

Air India confirmed in an official statement that its engineering personnel have been working continuously, with over 40 percent of the affected fleet already modified. The airline emphasised its commitment to completing all required work within the prescribed timeline while maintaining operational stability.

IndiGo has similarly committed to working closely with Airbus to implement all necessary instructions, prioritising safety while minimising passenger inconvenience during the modification process.

This coordinated response demonstrates the effectiveness of international aviation safety protocols and the Indian aviation industry's commitment to maintaining the highest operational standards through systematic compliance with global safety directives.