Solar radiation affecting flight control software
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Airbus fleets return to service after A320 software fixed faster than expected
Sky News· 2025-12-01 15:44
Core Insights - Airbus has resolved a software issue affecting the A320 family of aircraft, which could have impacted flight controls, faster than anticipated [1][2] - The issue was linked to intense solar radiation potentially corrupting critical flight control data [1][4] Group 1: Software Issue and Response - The software problem prompted an emergency order from aviation authorities for immediate modification or replacement [4] - Airbus confirmed that the majority of the approximately 6,000 A320 aircraft affected have been modified, with less than 100 remaining to be serviced [2][5] - Airlines like easyJet and Wizz Air completed the software updates without canceling flights, indicating a quicker resolution than expected [9] Group 2: Operational Impact - The incident led to flight disruptions over the weekend, with JetBlue canceling 20 flights as it worked to return 137 of its 150 A320s to service [8] - Colombia's Avianca Airlines halted bookings until December 8 due to the software issue [8] - Passengers experienced delays and cancellations, highlighting the operational challenges faced by airlines during this period [8] Group 3: Additional Quality Issues - Airbus also identified an industrial quality issue affecting fuselage panels of several dozen A320-family aircraft, causing delays in some deliveries [3] - There are currently no indications that this production flaw has affected aircraft already in service [3]