Massive Recall of 6,000 Airbus A320 Aircraft
Airbus has issued a massive recall of 6,000 A320 aircraft, representing more than half of the global fleet of this model, resulting in the temporary grounding of several planes in Asia, including in China, India, and Japan, and causing disruptions in US air traffic during one of the busiest weekends of the year.
Recall Details
The recall, addressed to 350 airlines worldwide, is one of the largest in Airbus' 55-year history and comes just weeks after the A320 surpassed the Boeing 737 in delivery numbers. The recall primarily concerns the software controlling the ailerons and flaps of the A319, A320, and A321 aircraft. The planes must be reprogrammed before they can resume flights.
Impact by Region
- In India, 338 Airbus aircraft are affected. IndiGo has already recalibrated 160 out of 200 planes and expects to complete all interventions by Sunday.
- In Japan, ANA Holdings canceled 95 flights on Saturday, affecting 13,500 passengers. The company and its subsidiaries, such as Peach Aviation, are the primary operators of A320 aircraft in the country.
- Globally, approximately 11,300 single-aisle aircraft are in service, including 6,440 basic A320 models. US and European airlines, including American Airlines, Lufthansa, easyJet, and Air Arabia, are also carrying out the necessary corrections.
- According to Korean Air, only 17 of its aircraft are affected, and no major disruptions are expected in its flight schedule.
This massive recall highlights the importance of safety in the aviation industry and the need for swift action to address potential issues. As airlines work to reprogram the affected aircraft, passengers may experience some disruptions, but the goal is to ensure the safe operation of these planes.
