PIA addresses concerns after software issue affects flight worldwide

KARACHI: Thousands of Airbus A320 aircraft across the globe have been forced to cancel flights due to a significant software issue affecting their altitude calculation systems. However, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has assured passengers that its fleet remains unaffected and all scheduled flights will continue as normal.

The disruption, which primarily impacted Airbus A320 aircraft, stems from a bug in the aircraft’s software that affects the altitude calculation system. According to Airbus, the problem was first detected in October when a JetBlue flight lost altitude during its journey, requiring an emergency landing and resulting in injuries to 15 passengers.

In response to the issue, Airbus confirmed that the software flaw was linked to intense solar radiation, which caused discrepancies in the aircraft’s computer data. While most of the affected planes will only require a short software update, approximately 900 aircraft will need to have their onboard computers replaced, grounding those planes until the repairs are complete.

PIA, however, has confirmed that none of its aircraft are impacted by the glitch. A spokesperson for the airline explained that the specific software version (ELAC-L104) responsible for the issue was never installed on any of PIA’s A320 planes. As a result, the airline’s fleet remains fully operational, and there will be no disruption to its flight schedule.

“We would like to reassure our passengers that all of our A320 aircraft are safe, and our services will continue without interruption,” said the PIA spokesperson. “The national airline remains committed to providing a safe and reliable service, as always.”

PIA added that the safety of its passengers is a top priority, and the airline is closely monitoring developments in the aviation industry to ensure the highest standards of safety.

The software glitch has impacted around 6,000 aircraft worldwide, leading to a temporary halt in operations for several airlines. Despite these challenges, PIA’s fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft will continue operating as scheduled, offering passengers peace of mind during their travels.