Global Airlines Grapple With Disruptions
Airbus grounds thousands of planes after discovering that intense solar radiation can interfere with flight control computers, causing worldwide delays. Around 6,000 A320-family jets are affected, representing half of Airbus’ global fleet. Most aircraft can return to service after a three-hour software update. The UK aviation regulator warns of flight delays and cancellations, though airports report limited disruption.
Investigation Follows October Altitude Incident
Airbus uncovers 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 Underway
About 5,100 jets require only a software update. Another 900 older planes need full computer replacements and cannot carry passengers until work is complete. Timelines depend on replacement availability. Airbus apologises for operational disruption affecting passengers and airlines.
Airports Report Mixed Disruption
An aviation analyst describes the situation as highly unusual and says passenger disruption depends on each airline’s approach. Gatwick reports minor delays, Heathrow experiences no cancellations, and Manchester Airport expects minimal disruption. British Airways faces limited impact, while Wizz Air and Air India already began updates.
Airlines Move Quickly to Reduce Delays
Data shows Air France suffers the largest disruption, with around 50 cancelled flights from its Paris hub on Saturday morning, according to travel experts. EasyJet expects some delays but confirms many aircraft already received updates and plans a full Saturday schedule. In the US, the issue 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 Flights Also Cancelled
Jetstar cancels 90 flights after confirming roughly a third of its fleet is affected. Disruption is expected to continue through the weekend, even though most planes already 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 Industry Response
The UK transport secretary says the impact on British airlines appears limited. She welcomes the rapid global action and highlights strong international aviation safety standards.
Solar Radiation Corrupts Critical Altitude Software
The issue involves software that calculates aircraft elevation. Airbus finds 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 Require Accurate Software
The A320 family uses fly-by-wire controls, where pilot commands pass through computers rather than mechanical links. Accurate software is essential to ensure safe flight operations.
