Global Airlines Face Disruptions
Airbus grounds thousands of planes after discovering that intense solar radiation can disrupt flight control computers, causing delays worldwide. About 6,000 A320-family jets are affected, representing half of Airbus’ global fleet. Most planes can return to service after a three-hour software update. The UK aviation regulator warns of potential delays and cancellations, though airports report only limited disruption.
October Flight Incident Leads to Investigation
Airbus discovers the problem after investigating an October event where 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
Around 5,100 jets require only a software update. Another 900 older aircraft need full computer replacements and cannot carry passengers until the work is complete. Timelines depend on replacement availability. Airbus apologises for operational disruption affecting passengers and airlines.
Airports Report Varying Impact
An aviation analyst calls the situation highly unusual and notes disruption depends on each airline’s approach. Gatwick reports minor delays, Heathrow sees no cancellations, and Manchester Airport expects minimal disruption. British Airways faces limited impact, while Wizz Air and Air India already started updates.
Airlines Act Quickly to Minimise Delays
Data shows Air France experiences the greatest disruption, with about 50 cancelled flights from its Paris hub on Saturday morning, according to travel experts. EasyJet expects some delays but confirms many planes 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 aims to complete most updates by Saturday. Delta predicts limited disruption.
Australian Airlines Cancel Flights
Jetstar cancels 90 flights after confirming roughly a third of its fleet is affected. Disruption is expected to continue through the weekend despite most aircraft having received updates. A senior UK Civil Aviation Authority official warns of possible delays and cancellations but stresses aviation remains extremely safe. He calls the grounding a very rare event.
Officials Highlight Swift Response
The UK transport secretary says the impact on British airlines is limited. She welcomes the rapid global response and highlights strong international aviation safety standards.
Solar Radiation Corrupts Elevation Software
The flaw affects 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 facilities.
Fly-By-Wire Systems Depend on Reliable Software
The A320 family uses fly-by-wire controls where pilot commands pass through computers rather than mechanical links. Accurate software is critical for safe flight operations.
