AirAsia grounds A320 fleet for urgent software rollback after Airbus warning
AirAsia planes are seen on the tarmac of Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 (KLIA2) in Sepang February 26, 2024. — Reuters pic
Saturday, 29 Nov 2025 9:28 AM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 29 — AirAsia Aviation Group Ltd has begun implementing a mandatory software rollback on its Airbus A320 Family aircraft today, in line with an urgent Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the relevant certification authorities.
The airline said the directive does not affect its A330 fleet, and that it is prioritising the swift execution of the required changes while adjusting its flight operations as necessary to ensure compliance.
Its group chief executive officer, Bo Lingam, said the carrier aims to complete the process within 48 hours while minimising any disruption.
“We are taking immediate steps to comply with the Airworthiness Directive and aim to complete the process within the next 48 hours, while ensuring minimal disruption to our guests.
“We seek our guests’ understanding, as these mandated measures are essential in upholding the highest standards of operational safety,” he said in a statement today.
Media reports, citing Airbus sources, have indicated that about 6,000 aircraft worldwide could be affected across the aviation industry.
In a separate statement, Airbus said a recent analysis of an event involving an A320 Family aircraft revealed that intense solar radiation could corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls.
The European plane maker said it has identified a significant number of A320 Family aircraft currently in service that may be impacted and has taken immediate steps in collaboration with global aviation authorities.
“Airbus has worked proactively with the aviation authorities to request immediate precautionary action from operators via an Alert Operators Transmission (AOT) to implement the available software and hardware protection, and ensure the fleet is safe to fly.
“This AOT will be reflected in an Emergency Airworthiness Directive from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA),” it said.
Airbus acknowledged that the measures may lead to operational disruptions for passengers and customers, and apologised for the inconvenience caused. — Bernama
More upside news for C919
ReplyDeleteThe C919 is not a direct copy of the Airbus A320, but it shares many similarities due to its development from the A320 and other western aircraft. While the C919 is considered a conservative design and is often compared to the 30-year-old A320 in its overall shape, cockpit layout, and cabin configuration, it incorporates some newer technology. There have also been claims that the C919 was developed by reverse-engineering an A320 that was dismantled in China, though this has not been officially confirmed by either party, according to FlightAware.
ReplyDeleteSimilarities:
Cockpit layout
Cabin configuration
Engine placement
Overall shape
Overall performance, which is similar to the A320
Differences:
Engine: The C919 uses the LEAP-1C engine, which is also used on the A320neo and Boeing 737 Max, but with different specifications.
Technology: The C919 is a younger aircraft with newer technology compared to the original A320, although the original A320 is still being produced and sold.
Performance: While the passenger experience is similar to the A320, the C919 has a lower passenger capacity and shorter range than the A320neo.
Reverse engineering claims
It is widely believed that the C919 was developed through a process of reverse engineering the A320.
There are allegations that an A320 delivered to China in the early 2000s was secretly dismantled so engineers could learn from its design and technology.
While many experts see these similarities as evidence of reverse engineering, both China's state-owned manufacturer COMAC and Airbus have not confirmed these claims.
Mfer, takes a comparison with many of the SUV produced by Europe & Japan car manufacturers.
DeleteWhy r they all share almost the same shape, with minor cosmetic differences?
Similarly, any major differences between Boeing & Airbus planes?
R they reverse engineered each others models?
Think about air drag coefficient for a start. & what control the air drag?
BTW, commercial aircraft jet engines r CORNERED by the 4 sisters of commercial jet engines - GE Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce & CFM International (GE/Safran). Now there is AECC from China with its homegrown CJ-1000Afor C919.
Wakakaka… if u only look at the appearances, they all copied & reversed engineered from each other!
Share by a New Zealand friend...
ReplyDeleteNew Zealand finds itself caught in an aviation crisis due to this comprehensive A320 grounding.
Almost coincidentally , Air New Zealand and almost all other airlines foreign and domestic serving New Zealand for short and medium haul flights are served by A320.
Its like an accidental monopoly, even though globally there are plenty of Boeing 737s available as an alternative, even Comac C919... Wakakaka..
Including domestic flights , vital air routes to Australia and neighbouring South Pacific nations.... suddenly everything and All grounded..