(qlmbusinessnews.com . Sun 30th Nov, 2025) London, UK —
Thousands of Airbus A320 Jets Back in Sky Following Emergency Software Patch for Solar Radiation Glitch
In an aviation industry update, Airbus has announced the resumption of normal service for the majority of its A320 aircraft fleet following a brief ground halt. This precaution was initiated due to concerns that solar radiation might disrupt the aircraft's onboard computing systems. The France-based aerospace titan disclosed that approximately 6,000 of its A320 family jets were implicated, necessitating swift software updates for the bulk, whilst around 900 of its older models required a computer overhaul.
French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot conveyed that the software updates for over 5,000 aircraft were successfully executed “without a hitch,” leaving a minor fraction yet to complete the process.
Guillaume Faury, Airbus's Chief Executive Officer, extended apologies for the logistical hurdles and resultant hold-ups, affirming the company's commitment to expedite the remaining updates.
The situation led to observable disruptions, notably at Paris’s Charles de Gaulle Airport, where Air France experienced several flight delays and cancellations early Saturday. Similarly, American Airlines anticipated some operational setbacks, though it projected the bulk of updates would conclude by Saturday. Delta Airlines, on its part, foresaw minimal operational impact.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority reported diligent efforts from airlines within the UK, ensuring the software update was rapidly implemented, thereby averting significant air traffic disruptions. London Gatwick encountered minor disturbances, whereas Heathrow and Manchester airports reported no significant issues, with Luton also confirming no expected disruptions.
British Airways and Air India were among those minimally affected by this glitch. Easyjet announced a substantial completion of the update across its fleet, aiming for uninterrupted operations. Wizz Air also confirmed a return to normal service post an overnight update rollout.
Conversely, the issue prompted Jetstar in Australia to cancel 90 flights, although most of its fleet has now been updated. Residual disruptions through the weekend were anticipated. Air New Zealand had to ground its A320 aircraft temporarily, but has since resumed all flights following the update.
This widespread action traces back to an incident in October, where a JetBlue Airways flight between the US and Mexico encountered a sudden drop in altitude, necessitating an emergency landing, in which at least 15 passengers were injured. This incident led Airbus to identify a flaw in the aircraft's elevation computing software, vulnerable to corruption by potent solar radiation at high altitudes. Affected models include the A318, A319, A321, alongside the A320.
Airbus continues to address the needs of older aircraft requiring complete computer replacements, with timelines hinging on the availability of the necessary hardware.
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