Global: Airbus has temporarily grounded thousands of aircraft after discovering that intense solar radiation could interfere with onboard flight control computers, potentially affecting flight safety. The issue has led to delays and cancellations worldwide, though most affected planes can resume service after a software update.
Scope of the Issue
Around 6,000 Airbus A320-family planes—about half of the company’s global fleet—are impacted. The issue affects the A318, A319, A320, and A321 models, with most aircraft able to resume flights after a three-hour software update.
However, 900 older planes will require physical replacement of onboard computers, preventing them from carrying passengers until the upgrade is complete.
Airbus discovered the vulnerability while investigating an October incident involving a JetBlue flight between the US and Mexico, where the plane suddenly lost altitude, causing at least 15 injuries before an emergency landing in Florida.
Global Flight Disruptions
The impact varies by airline and region:
- UK: Gatwick reported some disruptions, while Heathrow experienced minimal impact. British Airways remains largely unaffected. EasyJet completed updates on many aircraft and expects full service by Saturday.
- US: American Airlines confirmed 340 planes affected, with most updates completed over the Thanksgiving weekend. Delta Airlines reported limited operational impact.
- Australia: Jetstar canceled 90 flights, affecting about one-third of its fleet.
UK’s Civil Aviation Authority warned of possible delays or cancellations but reassured passengers that aviation remains one of the safest transport methods. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander praised the rapid identification and response to the issue.
Cause and Safety Measures
The problem involves the computing software that calculates a plane’s elevation. At high altitudes, intense solar radiation can corrupt this data, a phenomenon observed in the A320 family’s “fly-by-wire” system, where pilot commands are processed by onboard computers rather than direct mechanical linkages.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued an emergency airworthiness directive, requiring the issue be addressed before carrying passengers. Aircraft are allowed to perform ferry flights without passengers to reach maintenance facilities.
Airbus emphasized that this precautionary grounding is a rare event, highlighting the strict safety standards and robust maintenance protocols in global aviation.
