Airbus has ordered an urgent software update for over 6,000 A320 aircraft worldwide, citing a critical threat from high-intensity solar radiation to flight control systems that risks widespread flight disruptions.
The European aircraft manufacturer issued the directive for approximately half its global A320 fleet, requiring immediate software modification before the next scheduled flight. This urgent mandate poses a significant risk of delays and cancellations for passengers globally.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is preparing an emergency directive to legally enforce the update across all airlines operating the affected aircraft. This underscores the severity of the potential flight control issues.
Industry sources indicate the urgent order follows an incident on October 30 involving JetBlue Flight 1230, which experienced a sudden descent on its route from Cancun to Newark. That flight made an emergency landing in Tampa, Florida, and is currently under investigation by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The specific system identified as vulnerable is the Elevator and Aileron Computer (ELAC), which translates pilot commands into movements of the aircraft’s rear control surfaces. While French supplier Thales, the ELAC hardware manufacturer, confirmed its components meet Airbus specifications, it clarified that the software issue is not its responsibility.
Several major carriers have begun grounding A320s for the necessary updates. American Airlines, a significant A320 operator, reported approximately 340 of its aircraft need the update, expecting completion within one to two days with each update taking about two hours.
Other airlines, including Wizz Air, EasyJet, Delta Air Lines, Air India, Air New Zealand, Lufthansa, and Indigo, have already begun warning passengers of potential delays due to the mandatory modifications.
Airbus acknowledged the global impact on passengers but emphasized the update is crucial for maintaining the highest safety standards across its fleet. There are currently over 11,300 A320 aircraft in service worldwide.