New Delhi, Nov 29 (UNI) Air India on Saturday evening completed upgrades on 69 out of their 113 Airbus fleet, following orders for mandatory upgradation of software and hardware before being pressed into service.
With regard to Indigo, 184, out of its 200 aircraft from the Airbus family, had been upgraded by Saturday evening, while inspections on the remaining were progressing.
The two airlines stressed that no flights have been cancelled, though there might be flight delays as a result of the mandatory checks.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had earlier directed that until the mandatory software, hardware updates for Airbus family aircraft are carried out flights will remain grounded.
This follows similar directives by the European union Aviation Safety Agency and the Airbus Corporation.
The move affected Airbus A 318, A319, A320, and A321 airplanes.
The airlines that are operating these aircraft have been directed to first comply with the necessary changes, and till then refrain from operating these aircraft.
Air India in a statement said “safety is to priority” and added that following the directives, a mandatory hardware and software re-alignment will be carried out before flying their fleet.
In the Air India fleet, there are around 113 Airbus airplanes that were affected, while Indigo’s 200 aircraft had faced the issue.
Air India Express’ 25 aircraft were affected, out of which 17, had been upgraded by Saturday evening.
The three airlines suggested that their affected aircraft will be updated by the end of the day.
The DGCA order issued earlier on Saturday said that, “This is to be ensured that no person shall operate the product which falls under the applicability of this Mandatory Modification except those which are in accordance with the compliance to requirement of Mandatory Modification (s)/ applicable Airworthiness Directive(s).”
The Indian regulator said, “All operators are informed of the Mandatory Modification(s)/ Inspection (s) and Master Mandatory Modification List kept in your office is updated. You are requested to confirm the compliance in accordance to Airworthiness Procedure Manual Section- II, Chapter 7.”
