Global Fleets Feel The Impact
Airbus grounds thousands of jets after discovering that intense solar radiation can disrupt vital flight control computers, causing delays worldwide. Around 6,000 A320-family aircraft are affected, representing half the company’s global fleet. Most planes can fly again after a quick three-hour software update. The UK regulator warns of delays and cancellations, though airports report only limited issues so far.
Altitude Scare Reveals Hidden Risk
Airbus identifies the problem after investigating an October incident in which a plane travelling between the US and Mexico suddenly lost altitude. The JetBlue aircraft makes an emergency landing in Florida after at least 15 passengers suffer injuries. The vulnerability affects the A320 as well as the A318, A319 and A321 models.
Software Fixes And Hardware Replacements Begin
About 5,100 jets require only a routine software update. Another 900 older planes need full computer replacements and cannot carry passengers until engineers finish the work. The timeline depends on the supply of replacement systems. Airbus apologises and acknowledges that passengers and airlines will face operational disruption.
Airports Report Mixed Situations
An aviation analyst describes the issue as highly unusual and says disruption levels depend on each airline’s upgrade strategy. Gatwick reports some delays, while Heathrow sees no cancellations. Manchester Airport expects minimal impact. British Airways appears less affected. Wizz Air and Air India already progress with updates.
Airlines Worldwide Respond Quickly
Data shows Air France faces the biggest impact with 50 cancelled flights from its Paris hub on Saturday morning, according to travel experts. EasyJet expects some disruptions but says many updates are complete and plans a full Saturday schedule. In the US, the flaw emerges during the busy Thanksgiving travel rush. American Airlines says 340 jets are affected and expects some delays but plans to finish most updates by Saturday. Delta predicts limited issues.
Australia Sees Cancellations Too
Jetstar cancels 90 flights after confirming that one third of its fleet is affected. Disruption will continue through the weekend even though most jets already received updates. A senior official at the UK Civil Aviation Authority warns of delays and cancellations but stresses that aviation remains extremely safe. He describes the grounding as a very rare event.
Swift Reaction Earns Praise From Officials
The UK transport secretary says the impact on British airlines remains limited. She welcomes the rapid industry response and highlights the strength of global aviation safety standards.
Radiation Interference Targets Elevation Software
The flaw sits in software that calculates a jet’s elevation. Airbus finds that intense solar radiation at high altitudes can corrupt this data. This glitch triggered the October altitude loss but has not caused any other known events. The European regulator issues an emergency directive requiring repairs before jets carry passengers again. Affected aircraft may operate ferry flights without passengers to reach maintenance bases.
Fly-By-Wire Systems Depend On Precise Data
The A320 family uses computer-based fly-by-wire controls instead of mechanical links. These systems rely on accurate information, making reliable software crucial for safe operation.
