Avianca announced this Friday the temporary suspension, for an estimated period of 10 days, of operations for all its Airbus A320 aircraft, which represents 70% of its current fleet. The decision, effective immediately, responds to an instruction issued by the aircraft manufacturer to update critical software following an incident the previous day involving a foreign airline operating the same aircraft model. This has to do, apparently, with the fact that a strong solar radiation could affect or cause a malfuntion of a certain, unspecified piece of software in the aircraft.
The measure represents one of the company’s biggest operational adjustments in recent years and will have a direct impact on thousands of passengers inside and outside the country. In this regard, the company — the leader in Colombia and the second-largest in flight volume in Latin America — has asked customers who already have purchased tickets to remain attentive to a possible cancellation or rescheduling.
Given the number of aircraft that will be grounded for these 10 days, disruptions are expected for tens of thousands of people, which is why the company is working to avoid an air travel chaos precisely at the threshold of December, when Christmas festivities begin and domestic and international mobility in Colombia rises exponentially.
Avianca suspends flights of its Airbus A320 aircraft following manufacturer’s order
According to Avianca, the suspension is based on a technical directive from Airbus requiring the update of software related to the system that controls certain flight functions. Although the airline did not detail the exact nature of the incident that prompted the alert, it confirmed that it was an “operationally sensitive” event detected in another company and immediately brought to the attention of global operators of the A320 family.
The manufacturer’s order requires the update to be completed before regular operations can resume, meaning that each aircraft must undergo a process of inspection, installation of the new software, and technical verification before returning to service. Industry sources explained that while the update is relatively simple, the number of aircraft involved and limitations in specialized personnel may prolong the procedure.
The decision represents the biggest logistical challenge for Avianca since the sector’s reactivation following the pandemic. With 70% of its fleet grounded, the airline will have to reassign routes, cancel flights, and adjust international and domestic connections. Although the company did not release concrete figures, analysts estimate that hundreds of daily operations could be affected.
Avianca reported that it is reorganizing its schedule to operate with aircraft that are not part of the A320 family, including some Boeing 787s and Airbus A330s, as well as regional equipment. However, the scale of the disruption makes it impossible to absorb all demand and forces a temporary reduction in service.
The company indicated that it will prioritize essential and high-demand routes, while others will be rescheduled or combined. The most impacted airports would be Bogota, Medellin, Cali, and San Salvador, where the greatest number of Avianca’s daily operations are concentrated.
Passengers waiting and emergency adjustments
Throughout the day, dozens of passengers reported delays and cancellations, some of them without clear information on the cause of the interruption. Avianca asked for patience and assured that it is contacting affected users by email and text message, offering penalty-free date changes, refunds, and alternative connections.
Airports in Colombia activated contingency plans to manage the flow of travelers needing reaccommodation. The Civil Aviation Authority indicated that it is in permanent contact with the airline to monitor the situation and ensure that minimum passenger service standards are met.
The announcement also sparked concern among travel agencies and tour operators, especially because it comes during one of the busiest periods before the end-of-year holiday season. Some operators expressed uncertainty about the economic impact that a disruption of this magnitude could generate if it extends beyond the estimated 10 days.
Industry sources confirmed that other Latin American airlines operating A320-family aircraft are also assessing the need to implement the update. Although not all have suspended their flights, the episode has forced companies to review their fleets and coordinate with Airbus the intervention timeline.
Aviation experts consulted noted that these procedures are part of the safety protocols that regulate the international aviation industry and are usually activated quickly when a potential risk is detected. They also stated that Avianca’s decision to temporarily suspend operations demonstrates a preventive approach and a commitment to safety, even though it involves significant operational and financial sacrifices.