All Airbus A320, A321 jets in Vietnam resume safe operations after software update

The work was finished hours ahead of the 6:59 am deadline, allowing the affected aircraft to return to normal service with uninterrupted, safe operations.

Following the technical directive issued by planemaker Airbus and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on Friday, the CAAV found that 81 of the 169 A320/A321 aircraft in Vietnam fell within the mandatory update list. 

All 81 belong to the fleets of Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet.

Vietnam Airlines immediately launched the process across its major maintenance hubs in Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City.

Technical teams worked overnight using equipment, software, and instructions supplied by Airbus.

A representative from the national flag air carrier said that close coordination between engineering, operations, and flight control teams helped the airline finish ahead of schedule while minimizing disruption to its flight program.

All of its flights operated normally on Saturday and Sunday morning, meeting CAAV safety standards.

Vietjet reported that its technical crews also worked through the night to complete updates on all 69 of its A320/A321 aircraft.

The process was finalized at 3:00 am on Sunday, nearly four hours before the deadline set by Airbus and regulators.

Its engineers and technicians simultaneously executed multiple tasks, including system checks, software standardization, test runs, and data verification, to ensure the aircraft could return to service the same day.

A representative from Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City said post-update flight operations remained stable, with no signs of disruption or congestion.

The delay rate on Sunday was minimal and attributed only to routine factors such as weather and ground handling.

These instances were brief and did not affect the airport’s overall operating rhythm.

Head of the CAAV Uong Viet Dung affirmed that Vietnamese carriers had prepared thoroughly in both technical readiness and staffing, enabling them to meet the Emergency Airworthiness Directive requirements before they came into force.

He emphasized that the primary objective was to prevent any interruption to flight operations or passenger services.

Under the recent regulations issued by Airbus and the EASA, airlines operating Airbus A319, A320, and A321 aircraft worldwide must update software or replace components linked to the ELAC control system, which manages pitch and roll functions.

The requirement took effect at 23:59 UTC on Saturday, and applies to roughly 6,000 aircraft across the globe.