The grounding of the Airbus A320 family — the world's best-selling single-aisle aircraft — for a mandatory software upgrade this weekend will directly impact air travel across the world, including India. In India alone, more than 350 A320 family aircraft operated by IndiGo and the Air India Group will remain affected for about 23 days. Flight schedules are expected to return to normal by next Monday or Tuesday once the upgrades are completed. Globally, nearly 6,000 aircraft will undergo the upgrade process.
Why the upgrade is needed: JetBlue A320 technical incident
The mandatory update follows a serious incident on October 30, 2025, involving a JetBlue A320 flight from Cancun to Newark. The aircraft suddenly pitched downward without any pilot input. The NTSB investigation revealed that the uncontrolled pitch-down occurred during a switch change in the ELAC flight-control computer. The plane had to be diverted to Tampa, where several passengers required hospitalization. After the investigation, Airbus issued a compulsory software and hardware update for all A320 aircraft worldwide.
Air India advisory
In an official statement, Air India said that, following Airbus' directive, certain A320 aircraft in its fleet will undergo software and hardware realignment. This may increase turnaround times and could lead to delays. The airline apologized for the inconvenience and advised passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport and contact the call center if needed.
IndiGo's statement
IndiGo issued a similar advisory, stating: "Safety first. Airbus has issued a technical advisory for the global A320 fleet. We are carrying out all mandatory updates with utmost care and in compliance with safety protocols. During this period, some flight schedules may be slightly adjusted." The airline urged passengers to check the latest flight status through its app or website before traveling.
Impact on passengers
Travelers can expect delays and schedule changes over the next 23 days. India’s largest fleet — consisting of IndiGo and Air India aircraft — is most affected. Globally, around 6,000 A320 aircraft will undergo updates. Aviation authorities and airlines emphasize that the upgrade is crucial to ensuring stronger safety standards across the fleet.
