India’s A320 Response Shows Strong Operational Control as Airlines Maintain Stability

How Indian Airlines Are Managing the A320 Safety Directive

India’s aviation sector has maintained overall stability even as global operators work through Airbus’s emergency airworthiness directive. This update follows coverage of the global A320 grounding and its broader implications for travellers, focusing on how India’s leading airlines — IndiGo, Air India and Air India Express, are demonstrating operational control, steady progress and adherence to international safety timelines, with minimal disruption to passengers.

Airlines in India have issued detailed updates on their compliance with the emergency airworthiness directive, confirming that inspections and software upgrades are progressing steadily with minimal impact on operations.

IndiGo stated that it is carrying out all required checks in full accordance with the directives issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency and Airbus. The airline has 200 aircraft affected by the directive. A spokesperson said that “the required actions have already been completed on one hundred and sixty aircraft by 12:00 IST, and inspections on the remaining aircraft are progressing well and will be completed within the timeline.” IndiGo also reiterated that no cancellations had taken place as a result of these checks, although some flights may experience short delays. Passengers have been encouraged to verify the latest flight status through the airline’s website or contact centre before travelling to the airport.

In its operational update, IndiGo confirmed that software upgrades have been completed on 143 aircraft so far, with work ongoing across major base stations, including Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata.

Air India Express noted that it had “initiated immediate precautionary action” following the alert requiring the software fix. While only twenty-five of the airline’s aircraft are affected, it said the directive applies globally and may lead to adjustments in flight operations. In its statement, the airline said eight flights had been delayed due to ongoing work. It added that most of its fleet remains unaffected. Still, it advised guests to ensure their contact details are updated to receive notifications and to check the latest flight status on the airline’s digital channels. Software upgrades have been completed on four aircraft, with work underway at bases in Delhi, Bengaluru and Chennai.

Air India confirmed that safety remains its “top priority” as it works through the mandatory software and hardware realignment on 113 affected aircraft, comprising 104 A320neo aircraft and 9 A320ceo aircraft. A spokesperson said the airline had already completed the reset on more than forty per cent of the fleet and expects to finish the remaining work within the prescribed global deadline. Air India reiterated that no flights had been cancelled due to the directive and that there was no significant impact on network-wide schedule integrity. However, some services may be delayed or rescheduled. Passengers have been advised to check for updates before heading to the airport. The airline’s upgrades are being carried out across Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Chennai.

All three airlines expect full implementation of the required software fix by 05:29 IST on November 30, 2025, in line with the global safety timeline. Together, the updates show that India’s largest A320 operators are on track to complete the emergency requirements within the global compliance window, with the emphasis remaining firmly on maintaining safe and reliable operations while minimising inconvenience to travellers.

Overall, India’s coordinated response demonstrates a disciplined approach to fleet management, adherence to global safety standards and a focus on passenger continuity, signalling that, despite the global scale of the directive, operations remain largely under control across the country’s major carriers.