A320 Software Issue Causes Flight Chaos

Airlines worldwide faced increasing delays and cancellations on Saturday after Airbus issued an urgent alert warning that up to 6,000 A320-family aircraft may require immediate software upgrades due to a potentially serious technical malfunction.

Airbus Issues Emergency Precaution After JetBlue Incident

The alert, sent Friday, follows an investigation into an October 30 incident in which a JetBlue A320 experienced a sudden nose-down in mid-flight between Cancun and Newark. The aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing in Tampa, Florida, with U.S. media reporting several passenger injuries.

According to Airbus, “intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to flight control systems,” prompting manufacturers and airlines to perform urgent software updates.

Up to 6,000 A320 Aircraft Affected

Airbus noted that while most software replacements will take only a few hours, roughly 1,000 aircraft will require upgrades that could take weeks. The company apologized for the disruptions, acknowledging the large operational impact.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) confirmed it is monitoring the situation closely, emphasizing that safety remains the top priority.

Airlines Worldwide Report Cancellations and Delays

Several major carriers are now adjusting schedules:

Europe

Air France cancelled 35 flights Friday and expects further cancellations. A spokesperson said affected customers are being notified via SMS and email.

Americas

Avianca reported that 70% of its fleet has been impacted and warned of “significant disruptions over the next 10 days.”

American Airlines began updating the software immediately after the alert and expects the vast majority of its 340 affected aircraft to be fixed by Saturday, though delays are anticipated.

United Airlines identified six aircraft requiring updates and predicts only minor disruptions.

Delta Air Lines expects all updates to be completed by Saturday morning.

Asia

Air India warned passengers of expected delays.

Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific grounded at least 40 domestic flights, offering rebookings and refunds.

Thales Responds to Software Concerns

Thales, the manufacturer of the flight control computer used on affected aircraft, stated that its hardware is fully compliant with Airbus specifications and certified by both EASA and the FAA. The company clarified that the specific software function at issue is not developed by Thales.

A320: The World’s Best-Selling Aircraft

The Airbus A320 family, first produced in 1988, is the world’s best-selling commercial aircraft, with 12,257 units sold by September, narrowly surpassing Boeing’s 737 line.

Source : AFP