Post by : Rameen Ariff

Airbus has issued a major warning to airlines worldwide after discovering a technical issue that could affect up to 6,000 A320 aircraft, prompting flight delays and cancellations across multiple countries. The European plane-maker revealed that intense solar radiation may corrupt critical data in flight control systems, creating potential safety risks.

The alert follows an incident on October 30 involving a JetBlue A320 flying between Cancun, Mexico, and Newark, United States. During the flight, the aircraft experienced a sudden control malfunction, causing the plane to nosedive. Pilots managed to land safely in Tampa, Florida, but some passengers were reported injured. The incident triggered a full technical review of the A320 fleet.

Air France has already cancelled 35 flights in response, while Colombia's Avianca reported that 70 percent of its fleet may be affected by the software issue. American Airlines confirmed it has begun updating software on its A320s, expecting most of the 340 aircraft in its fleet to be serviced by Saturday, though several delays are anticipated. United Airlines reported no immediate impact.

Airbus stated that replacing the software takes only a few hours for most planes, but for around 1,000 aircraft, the process could extend over several weeks. The company has advised airlines to take immediate precautionary measures to ensure passenger safety.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) confirmed receiving Airbus’ report and acknowledged that the recommended updates could temporarily disrupt flight schedules. Airbus emphasised that safety remains the highest priority and apologised for the operational inconvenience caused.

Thales, the manufacturer of the flight control computer, clarified that the hardware fully meets Airbus specifications and holds certifications from both EASA and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). However, the software causing the issue falls outside Thales’ responsibility.

The A320, produced since 1988, is the world’s best-selling aircraft, with 12,257 units sold by the end of September, slightly surpassing Boeing’s 737. The widespread software upgrade is expected to dominate airline operations over the coming days, highlighting the crucial role of timely software maintenance in modern aviation safety.

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