Tag: airline

A late-night Airbus alert triggered an emergency EASA directive, giving airlines just 32 hours to update critical flight-control software or face aircraft grounding.

When Airbus issued an urgent technical alert at 11:00 p.m. on 28 November, Vietjet was thrust into one of the most time-critical operational challenges affecting its Airbus A320-series fleet.

The alert was followed by a mandatory Emergency Airworthiness Directive (EAD) from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), requiring ELAC (Elevator and Aileron Computer) flight-control software on all Airbus A319, A320, and A321 aircraft worldwide to be updated or replaced by 6:59 a.m. on 30 November.

The directive addressed a specific technical risk. Under certain conditions, the software could be affected by solar radiation interference, potentially triggering uncommanded nose-down inputs. Nearly 6,000 aircraft globally were impacted. In Vietnam alone, 81 aircraft required urgent action, 69 of which were operated by Vietjet.

The resulting 32-hour window marked an unprecedented operational challenge for Vietnam’s aviation sector, according to a report by Tuoi Tre News.

Immediate activation of emergency operations

Within hours of receiving Airbus’ alert, Vietjet activated its Emergency Response Committee, mobilising engineering, flight operations, scheduling, and technology teams across its network.

Using its AMOS (Aircraft Maintenance and Engineering Operating System) maintenance management system, which integrates fleet data and predictive analysis, Vietjet conducted a real-time assessment of aircraft configurations, locations, and operational constraints. At the same time, contingency plans were developed to maintain network stability, including aircraft redeployment and schedule optimisation to minimise passenger disruption.

Logistics added further complexity. Airbus estimated that each software update would typically take two to three hours per aircraft, while specialised equipment was limited and aircraft were operating across multiple domestic and international stations.

A breakthrough on the hangar floor

The operation reached a turning point in Da Nang, where Vietjet engineer Nguyen Van Trung, drawing on more than 15 years of operational experience, completed a full ELAC software update in just 45 minutes without bypassing any mandatory safety steps.

Aircraft software updates are multi-layered procedures. Each aircraft has a unique configuration that must be verified, standardised, tested, and cross-checked. One engineer performs the update, while another independently monitors parameters and documentation.

“Nothing can be skipped,” Trung was quoted as saying. “But experience allows you to know exactly where time can be optimised, and where it absolutely cannot.”

The first aircraft to complete the update, VN-A644, became the reference point for the revised procedure. The optimised workflow was subsequently standardised and shared with engineering teams at Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat, and international stations, accelerating progress across the fleet.

Technology, teamwork, and contingency planning

Alongside software updates, Vietjet prepared hardware contingency solutions, including pre-positioning ELAC units from grounded aircraft for immediate replacement if required.

The airline also received support from Vietjet Thailand and other carriers, including Vietnam Airlines and Bamboo Airways, which provided additional equipment to help scale the operation.

Digitalised technical documentation on iPads, standardised software libraries, and real-time fleet visibility enabled teams to compress administrative timelines while maintaining full compliance with Airbus and EASA safety requirements.

Aircraft were scheduled for updates between flights at the airline’s main technical bases, allowing the airline to meet the regulatory deadline while maintaining operational continuity.

Completed ahead of deadline

By 3:00 a.m. on 30 November, all 69 affected Vietjet aircraft had completed the required software updates, nearly four hours ahead of the EASA deadline. No aircraft was grounded as a result of the issue, and flight operations continued throughout the operation.

For Vietjet’s leadership, engineering, and operations team, the final hours of November were focused on execution under regulatory time pressure.

As Vietjet’s Standing Vice President To Viet Thang noted, the 32-hour effort stands as a defining moment — one that transformed a standard three-hour procedure into a 45-minute benchmark under extreme pressure, while upholding uncompromising safety standards.

A test of operational resilience

According to Uong Viet Dung, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV), Vietnamese airlines responded proactively following Airbus’ alert.

Despite the unusually large number of affected aircraft, Vietjet had prepared adequately in terms of technical capability, personnel, equipment, and digital systems, enabling the airline to meet the emergency airworthiness requirements within the mandated timeframe.

The operation highlighted the airline’s ability to rapidly assess resources, deploy optimised technical solutions, and balance flight operations with mandatory maintenance requirements, in line with international safety standards and regulatory standards.

Rather than a singular technical fix, the 32-hour response reflected coordinated planning, technical discipline, and cross-border collaboration. In an industry governed by strict safety margins and fixed deadlines, the episode underscored Vietjet’s operational readiness when responding to time-critical regulatory demands.

Vietjet is stepping into the regional travel season with its strongest operational readiness to date, marked by the arrival of a new A321neo ACF, registered VN-A580, and the airline’s unprecedented milestone of taking delivery of 22 aircraft within a single month.

As Asia gears up for one of its busiest travel periods, including the upcoming Lunar New Year 2026, Vietjet’s record-breaking fleet reinforcement signals a decisive move to ensure capacity, reliability, and network growth for travellers across the region, including four direct routes linking Singapore with Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and Phu Quoc.

The one-month build-up – equivalent to the full fleet of a standalone carrier – represents the largest delivery milestone in the airline’s history and underscores its commitment to meeting heightened travel demand with improved aircraft availability and operational efficiency.

The newly delivered and upcoming aircraft include:

• 9 Boeing 737s for Vietjet Thailand;
• 7 new-generation Airbus aircraft for Vietjet Group in Vietnam;
• 4 wet-lease aircraft to support peak-season operations;
• 2 COMAC aircraft currently operating on the Con Dao routes.

At a time when many global carriers face aircraft shortages and prolonged delivery delays, Vietjet’s ability to secure and activate one of the fastest fleet build-ups in the industry reflects solid financial footing, and the confidence of international partners. With these new aircraft entering service, the airline is set to enhance schedule stability, expand frequencies on popular routes, and reinforce its international network ahead of the travel surge.

Vietjet has been recognised by Brand Finance, the world’s leading brand valuation consultancy, as one of Southeast Asia’s most valuable airline brands, and the most valuable airline brand in Vietnam for 2025. This prestigious recognition underscores Vietjet’s growing presence as a leading carrier connecting Singaporean travellers with Vietnam and major destinations across Asean and beyond.
As one of ASEAN’s six most valuable airline brands this year, Vietjet has steadily built its footprint in the region, offering more flight options, greater convenience, and affordable fares to travellers seeking new experiences. Since its first flight linking Singapore and Vietnam over a decade ago, and now operating four direct services to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, and Phu Quoc, the airline further expands its proactive approach to meeting market demand and fostering tourism and trade growth between the two countries and beyond.
With additional flights to Da Nang and Phu Quoc set to launch by the end of the year, Vietjet is poised to serve around half a million passengers annually on the Singapore–Vietnam flight network.

In the first nine months of 2025, the airline reported revenue of VND52.329 trillion (approx. SGD2.59 billion), gross profit of VND6.724 trillion (approx. SGD332.8 million), and pre-tax profit of VND1.987 trillion (approx. SGD98.52 million), up 28% year-on-year. The company’s value has continued to rise steadily. As of 7 November 2025, the airline’s market capitalisation reached nearly VND105.3 trillion (approx. SGD5.22 billion). Operating 130 aircraft on more than 170 routes, Vietjet has served over 250 million passengers across the Asia-Pacific region to date.

Building on its strong financial performance, the airline is evolving into a global aviation group with hundreds of new aircraft orders, an expanding intercontinental network, and ongoing sustainability initiatives that reinforce its commitment to a greener, future-ready aviation model.
“Our consistent brand value growth reflects the trust of customers, investors, and international partners in Vietjet,” said Ms. Ho Ngoc Yen Phuong, Vietjet’s Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Member of the Board of Directors. “We will continue to deliver diverse, convenient, and affordable travel experiences to our passengers while further enhancing Vietnam’s value and position in the global aviation landscape.”
Earlier this year, Vietjet was named the Grand Winner in the Tourism Category at the ASEAN Business Awards 2025, and also received multiple prestigious international honours from Skytrax, AirlineRatings, and the World Travel Awards.

Brand Finance, the world’s leading brand valuation and financial consultancy, founded in 1996 and headquartered in London, United Kingdom, operates in over 25 countries worldwide.