Flights Return to Normal After Software Update Alert

Thousands of Airbus planes are returning to normal service following a recent software update issue. This problem arose when authorities warned that solar radiation might disrupt onboard flight control computers. Around 6,000 of Airbus’s A320 aircraft were affected by this alert. Most required a swift software update, while approximately 900 older models will need a complete computer replacement.

Impact of the Software Update

French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot announced that updates for over 5,000 A320 planes proceeded smoothly. He indicated that fewer than 100 aircraft remained that still required the update. “Software updates were already rolled out overnight on virtually all devices,” stated Tabarot.

Flight Disruptions

This situation caused some disruptions in air travel, particularly on Saturday. Air France experienced delays and cancellations at Paris’s Charles de Gaulle Airport. Although the impact was noticeable, especially in France, it was more complicated in other nations.

• United States: American Airlines reported that 340 aircraft were affected, anticipating some operational delays. Most updates were completed by Friday and Saturday.
• UK: Airports like London Gatwick experienced minor disruptions, while Heathrow had no cancellations. Manchester Airport also reported no significant issues.
• Australia: Jetstar canceled 90 flights due to the software issue, affecting about one-third of its fleet.

Airlines Respond

Despite the disruptions, several airlines managed to operate normally. EasyJet confirmed that they completed updates on a majority of their aircraft. Similarly, Wizz Air reported no significant issues and operated without major disruptions. British Airways and Air India were also not heavily impacted.

Origin of the Issue

The issue was initially identified after an incident involving a JetBlue Airways flight in October. This aircraft experienced a sudden loss of altitude, leading to an emergency landing in Mexico. The event resulted in injuries to at least 15 passengers. Investigations revealed that the aircraft’s computing software, responsible for calculating elevation, could be affected by intense solar radiation.

In addition to the A320, other models, including the A318, A319, and A321, were also affected. The company focused on resolving the issues as rapidly as possible, with 5,100 planes needing only software updates while around 900 older planes awaited computer replacements.

Timelines for resolving these problems depend on the availability of replacement hardware. Airlines and aviation officials continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure safe and efficient service as operations resume.