Global Fleets Face Immediate Disruption
Airbus grounds thousands of planes after discovering that intense solar radiation can interfere with flight control computers, causing delays worldwide. Around 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 flight delays and cancellations, though airports report only limited impact so far.
October Incident Sparks Safety Review
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 flaw also affects the A318, A319, and A321 models.
Airlines Implement Software and Hardware Fixes
About 5,100 jets require a simple software update. Another 900 older planes need full computer replacements and cannot carry passengers until work is complete. Timelines depend on the supply of replacement systems. Airbus apologises for operational disruption affecting passengers and airlines.
Airports See Varied Levels of Disruption
An aviation analyst calls the situation highly unusual and says passenger disruption depends on each airline’s approach. Gatwick reports minor delays, Heathrow sees no cancellations, and Manchester Airport expects minimal impact. British Airways faces limited disruption, while Wizz Air and Air India have already begun updates.
Airlines Work Quickly to Minimise Delays
Data shows Air France experiences the largest disruption, with about 50 cancelled flights from its Paris hub on Saturday morning, according to travel experts. EasyJet expects some delays but says many aircraft 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 delays but plans to complete most updates by Saturday. Delta predicts limited disruption.
Australian Flights Also Affected
Jetstar cancels 90 flights after confirming that about one third of its fleet is affected. Disruptions are expected to continue through the weekend, despite most planes already receiving 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 Praise Rapid Action
The UK transport secretary says the impact on British airlines is limited. She welcomes the swift international response and highlights strong global aviation safety standards.
Solar Radiation Corrupts Altitude Software
The issue involves software that calculates aircraft elevation. Airbus finds that intense 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 Rely on Accurate 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.
