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Airlines in the Philippines are working to restore normal operations after completing software updates on Airbus A320/A321 aircraft
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Airbus on November 28 rolled out system upgrades for A320 and A321s, following a European Aviation Safety Agency’s recommendation to immediately a address global technical issue
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The updates affected Airbus’ 6,000 air fleet worldwide. The repairs needed were due to a flight-control software issue
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As of November 30, both Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific have completed the updates
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75 aircraft and 93 flights from Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and AirAsia were affected
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Of the 93 flights, 82 were cancelled and 11 delayed, affecting at least 14,000 passengers
Airlines in the Philippines are working to restore normal operations after completing software updates on Airbus A320/A321 aircraft.
Airbus on November 28 rolled out system upgrades for A320 and A321s, following the European Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) recommendation to immediately address a global technical issue.
The updates affected Airbus’ 6,000 air fleet worldwide. The repairs needed were due to a flight-control software issue linked to “intense solar radiation that may corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls,” Airbus said.
Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez in a press briefing on November 29 said the software updates affected 75 aircraft and 93 flights from Philippine Airlines (PAL), Cebu Pacific and AirAsia. Of the 93 flights, 82 were cancelled and 11 delayed, affecting at least 14,000 passengers.
He noted the software update advisory was sent to Philippine aviation authorities at 1am on November 29, with upgrades immediately installed to minimize passenger inconvenience. He added that each aircraft’s software upgrade lasted two hours.
PAL confirmed on November 29 that all its aircraft scheduled to operate commercial flights and covered by the recent Airbus and EASA directive on the mandatory Elevator and Aileron Computer (ELAC) software update have successfully completed the required upgrade.
“Our technical and engineering teams worked swiftly and meticulously to ensure full compliance within the prescribed timeframe, prioritizing the highest standards of safety and reliability. With the update completed, we are now working to normalize flight schedules at the soonest possible time. We continue to coordinate closely with aviation authorities and airport partners to minimize any remaining operational impact,” the airline said in a statement.
Cebu Pacific on the morning of November 30 also said it has successfully completed the mandatory software update across the affected Airbus A320/A321 aircraft, and that normal operations have been restored.
Air Carriers Association of the Philippines executive director Josen Perez de Tagle said airline operators assured the entire system upgrade will be completed by noon on November 30.
The Civil Aeronautics Board and airline operators immediately notified affected passengers while stranded passengers at the airport were provided assistance, including sustenance such as food, drinks and medicine.
Passengers of affected flights have the option to rebook flights free of charge, get refunds and e-vouchers for flight credits, airline operators said.
