Possible inconvenience for Northern Ireland passengers due to Airbus modifications

Passengers departing from Northern Ireland airports have been advised to anticipate possible flight interruptions after Airbus, the European aerospace manufacturer, issued urgent modification requirements for thousands of its aircraft. Approximately 6,000 planes worldwide, all from the A320 family, are believed to be affected.

EasyJet, which operates routes to and from Belfast International and Belfast City airports, has warned that some schedules may be impacted. The airline stated it will notify customers directly regarding any adjustments to its flight programme and is taking measures to minimize inconvenience.

Impact on Northern Ireland Airports

While flights at Belfast International Airport proceeded normally on Friday night, the airport advised travelers scheduled for Saturday to verify the latest flight information with their airline. Belfast City Airport has been approached for comment.

Aer Lingus confirmed that only a small portion of its fleet requires updates and is actively installing the necessary software, with no major operational disruptions expected.

UK-Wide Effects

At London Gatwick Airport, around 80 aircraft are affected. A Gatwick spokesperson noted that only a limited number of airlines operating Airbus A320 aircraft are impacted, and passengers should check with their airline for details.

Heathrow Airport reported that the ongoing maintenance does not currently affect its operations.

Details of Airbus Directive

Airbus indicated that most affected planes can be addressed through a straightforward software update. However, around 900 older aircraft require replacement computers and will remain out of service until repairs are completed.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has mandated that, starting 29 November, affected aircraft may only transport passengers after completing the required modifications. They are permitted to conduct "ferry flights" without passengers to reach maintenance facilities.

Author: Sophia Brooks