On November 28, Airbus issued an emergency safety bulletin, and EASA followed with directive 2025-0268-E. The directive mandates that all A319, A320, and A321 aircraft globally must update their Elevator Aileron Computer (ELAC) - a critical system controlling pitch and lateral flight dynamics - before 6:59 a.m. on November 30 (Vietnam time).

Shortly after the alert, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) held an emergency meeting with domestic airlines in the night of November 28 and into the early hours of November 29. According to a report released at 5:30 a.m., out of 169 Airbus A320/A321 aircraft currently operating in Vietnam, 81 are affected and require immediate software updates.

CAAV Director Uong Viet Dung described the situation as “force majeure” and emphasized that flight safety must be prioritized above all else.

He praised the airlines for rapidly preparing necessary equipment, software packages, and personnel. He also instructed them to proactively adjust flight schedules if needed, notify passengers of any changes, and provide support for rebooking or refunds without additional charges.

Vietnam Airlines confirmed it had received both Airbus’ and CAAV’s instructions and had promptly dispatched technical crews to three major hubs: Noi Bai, Da Nang, and Tan Son Nhat. Airbus has supplied all required software and implementation guides. Each update takes about one hour per aircraft.

The airline stated that updates began overnight and will be completed before the 6:59 a.m. deadline. As of November 29, no disruptions to flight schedules have been reported.

Vietjet Air also confirmed it had checked its entire A321 fleet. Only a limited number of aircraft required updates. The process is being carried out sequentially as aircraft return from scheduled operations and is expected to finish by the end of the day.

“If by the deadline any aircraft remains pending, the airline will adjust schedules and promptly notify affected passengers, ensuring support in accordance with regulations,” a Vietjet representative said.

Meanwhile, Bamboo Airways, which operates seven A320/A321 aircraft, confirmed that its fleet is not subject to the EASA directive. All flights continue as normal.

CAAV cautioned that while airlines are moving quickly, some flights may be rescheduled in the coming days to accommodate software updates and technical checks.

The agency also instructed the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), Van Don International Airport, and Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation (VATM) to coordinate closely with airlines to ensure order, safety, and passenger assistance.

Airport authorities have been assigned to monitor operations and respond quickly to emerging issues to avoid any risk to flight safety.

Vu Diep