Airbus has said the "vast majority" of its A320 fleet affected by a software issue have undergone the necessary modifications, helping contain wider disruption from the biggest emergency recall in the company's history.
Three days ago, the European plane maker called for "immediate precautionary action" on its in-service A320s – thought to number 6,000 – its most popular model and a workhorse of the aviation industry.
"We are working with our airline customers to support the modification of less than 100 remaining aircraft to ensure they can be returned to service," the Toulouse-based company said on Monday. "Airbus apologises for any challenges and delays caused to passengers and airlines by this event."
The statement follows an apology from Airbus chief executive Guillaume Faury to airlines and passengers after the surprise recall of the 6,000 A320 planes, which compete with the Boeing 737 model.
"The fix required on some A320 aircraft has been causing significant logistical challenges and delays," Mr Faury said. "I want to sincerely apologise to our airline customers and passengers who are impacted now. But we consider that nothing is more important than safety when people fly on one of our Airbus aircraft."
In the UAE, the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) confirmed on Sunday that all UAE operators of Airbus A319, A320 and A321 planes had complied fully with the Emergency Airworthiness Directive and that all affected operators were able to continue safe flight operations.
More than 100 UAE-registered aircraft were affected by this directive, the GCAA added.
In Saudi Arabia, chief executive of flyadeal, Steven Greenway, said the urgent software update had affected more than a quarter of the airline's fleet.
"Teams from across the company leapt into action, immediately grounding the affected aircraft, undertaking the software update and working to minimise disruption to our Saturday schedule," he said.
While a total of 28 flights were cancelled, the airline tried to reaccommodate the majority of affected passengers on to 14 wide-body, wet-lease aircraft replacement flights that were "stood up in a very short time", he said.
Differing approaches
The weekend's turmoil underscored the aviation industry's changed approach to responding to crises, after Boeing's much-criticised handling of the fatal 737 Max crashes that were blamed on a software design error.
"The A320 is the backbone for short-to-medium haul travel for many airlines, however, the non-routine maintenance event and the responsiveness of the industry strongly demonstrates the industry's safety-first philosophy," Usman Tahir, head of aviation at consultancy Roland Berger Middle East, told The National. "The actions taken are reflective of proactive and preventive maintenance to ensure risk mitigation for the affected fleet."
While in the short-term, this has resulted in flight cancellations and "significant" revenue loss, in the longer term airlines are expected to rethink their fleet strategy to minimise the risk of focusing on one type of aircraft, he said.
The incident also highlights the difference in approaches between Airbus and US rival Boeing in dealing with crises.
"In comparing Airbus and Boeing, we see two different organisational philosophies," said Linus Bauer, founder and managing director of UAE-based boutique consultancy BAA & Partners.
"Airbus typically acts earlier and more conservatively, supported by a deeply engineering-driven culture and close European regulatory engagement."
Meanwhile, Boeing, having faced several high-profile crises, "operates under a far harsher spotlight, which shapes market reactions", Mr Bauer said. Airbus’s robust backlog and delivery also give it a "faster recovery arc" in situations like this, he added.
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
The specs: Macan Turbo
Engine: Dual synchronous electric motors
Power: 639hp
Torque: 1,130Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Touring range: 591km
Price: From Dh412,500
On sale: Deliveries start in October
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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If you go
The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Luang Prabang via Bangkok, with a return flight from Chiang Rai via Bangkok for about Dh3,000, including taxes. Emirates and Thai Airways cover the same route, also via Bangkok in both directions, from about Dh2,700.
The cruise
The Gypsy by Mekong Kingdoms has two cruising options: a three-night, four-day trip upstream cruise or a two-night, three-day downstream journey, from US$5,940 (Dh21,814), including meals, selected drinks, excursions and transfers.
The hotels
Accommodation is available in Luang Prabang at the Avani, from $290 (Dh1,065) per night, and at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from $1,080 (Dh3,967) per night, including meals, an activity and transfers.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
MATCH INFO
Osasuna 1 Real Madrid 4
Osasuna: García (14')
Real Madrid: Isco (33'), Ramos (38'), Vázquez (84'), Jovic (90' 2)
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
MATCH INFO
Northern Warriors 92-1 (10 ovs)
Russell 37 no, Billings 35 no
Team Abu Dhabi 93-4 (8.3 ovs)
Wright 48, Moeen 30, Green 2-22
Team Abu Dhabi win by six wickets
BRIEF SCORES:
Toss: Nepal, chose to field
UAE 153-6: Shaiman (59), Usman (30); Regmi 2-23
Nepal 132-7: Jora 53 not out; Zahoor 2-17
Result: UAE won by 21 runs
Series: UAE lead 1-0
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
