The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam recently held an urgent meeting at night about the Airbus aircraft manufacturer and the European Aviation Safety Authority (EASA) requesting airlines around the world that are operating aircraft manufactured by Airbus, including A319, A320, A321, to replace equipment or update ELAC computer control software (altitude control and flight direction).
Regarding this issue, Vietnam Airlines said it has received requests and instructions from the Airbus aircraft manufacturer and the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam on updating the software for Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft.
To ensure safe operation, the entire fleet needs to complete the update according to the software package provided by Airbus before the deadline of 6:59 a.m. on November 30, Vietnam time (ie 23:59 a.m. on November 29, UTC).
Immediately after receiving the information, Vietnam Airlines promptly inspected and deployed an updated plan at technical facilities in Noi Bai, Da Nang and Tan Son Nhat.
The airline currently has all the tools, instructions and updated software provided by Airbus; the work has been carried out since last night, early morning on November 29. The expected implementation time is about an average of one hour for each aircraft.
Vietnam Airlines affirmed that it will complete all updates before the above deadline and fully meet the safety requirements of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam and Airbus.
Vietnam Airlines Group's operations on November 29 and from November 30 have been operating normally and are not affected.
With the principle of safety as the number one priority, Vietnam Airlines is committed to fully and promptly implementing all technical requirements to ensure stable and absolutely safe operation for passengers and flights.
Previously, informing Lao Dong Newspaper, Director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam Uong Viet Dung said that at 11:00 p.m. on November 28, 2025 (16:00 - UTC), Airbus Aircraft Manufacturer sent an urgent warning message (AOT); at the same time, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued the Emergency Flight Eligibility Directive (EAD) No. 2025-0268-E requesting airlines around the world operating aircraft produced by Airbus including A319, A320, A321 to replace equipment or update ELAC computer control software (altitude control and flight direction). The effect before the first flight is from 23:59 UTC on November 29, 2025 (6:59 a.m. on November 30, 2025 Vietnam time).
That same night, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam held an urgent meeting with Vietnamese airlines to implement. According to reports from airlines (at 5:30 a.m. on November 29, 2025), the number of affected aircraft was 81/169 A320/A321.
Therefore, in the coming days, some flights of airlines will also be affected by the implementation of this order.
