Global Fleets Face Disruption
Airbus grounds thousands of planes after discovering intense solar radiation can interfere with flight control computers, causing worldwide delays. Around 6,000 A320-family aircraft are affected, representing half of Airbus’ global fleet. Most jets can return to service after a quick three-hour software update. The UK aviation regulator warns of potential flight delays and cancellations, though airports report limited disruption.
October Altitude Incident Leads to Discovery
Airbus uncovers the problem after investigating an October incident in which a plane flying between the US and Mexico suddenly lost altitude. The JetBlue aircraft makes an emergency landing in Florida after at least 15 passengers are injured. The vulnerability also affects the A318, A319, and A321 models.
Software Updates and Hardware Replacements Begin
About 5,100 jets need only a software update. Another 900 older planes require full computer replacements and cannot carry passengers until the work is complete. Timelines depend on the availability of replacement systems. Airbus apologises for operational disruption affecting passengers and airlines.
Airports Report Varying Levels of Impact
An aviation analyst calls the situation highly unusual and notes that passenger disruption depends on each airline’s update strategy. Gatwick reports some delays, while Heathrow experiences no cancellations. Manchester Airport expects minimal problems. British Airways faces limited disruption, while Wizz Air and Air India have already begun updates.
Airlines Act Quickly to Limit Delays
Data shows Air France suffers the greatest disruption, with around 50 cancelled flights from its Paris hub on Saturday morning, according to travel experts. EasyJet expects some delays but says many jets already received updates and plans a full Saturday schedule. In the US, the problem coincides with the busy Thanksgiving travel period. American Airlines reports 340 affected planes and expects some delays but anticipates completing most updates by Saturday. Delta predicts limited impact.
Australian Flights Also Cancelled
Jetstar cancels 90 flights after confirming that about one third of its fleet is affected. Disruption is expected to continue through the weekend despite most jets already undergoing updates. A senior UK Civil Aviation Authority official warns of potential delays and cancellations but stresses that aviation remains extremely safe. He calls the grounding a very rare event.
Officials Praise Rapid Global Response
The UK transport secretary says the impact on British airlines appears limited. She welcomes the swift international response and highlights strong aviation safety standards.
Radiation Corrupts Critical Altitude Software
The issue involves software that calculates aircraft altitude. Airbus discovers that strong solar radiation at high altitudes can corrupt this data. The October incident was the only known occurrence. The European aviation regulator issues an emergency directive requiring all affected planes to receive updates before carrying passengers. Aircraft may operate ferry flights without passengers to reach maintenance bases.
Fly-By-Wire Systems Depend on Precise Software
The A320 family uses fly-by-wire controls where pilot inputs pass through computers rather than mechanical links. Accurate software is essential to ensure safe flight operations.
