UPDATE: The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has confirmed that the impact of a recent Airbus A320 software update on UK flights is minimal, despite earlier warnings of potential disruptions. As of Saturday afternoon, October 28, 2023, travelers can expect limited delays, with most airlines successfully implementing the necessary updates.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued a precautionary directive late Friday, mandating updates to onboard computers across the A320 aircraft family. This action follows an incident last month where 15 JetBlue passengers were injured due to a sudden altitude drop, attributed to potential data corruption from solar radiation. Although Airbus noted the risk, researchers from the University of Surrey Space Centre stated there was no unusual solar activity during the incident.
In a statement, CAA Chief Executive Rob Bishton commended airlines for their swift response, stating, “Thanks to their diligent and swift efforts, UK aviation has come together to minimize significant passenger disruption.” With spare aircraft available, airlines have been able to accommodate passengers without major issues.
Wizz Air confirmed that all affected A320 aircraft were updated overnight, ensuring smooth operations moving forward. Chief Operations Officer Diarmud O Conghaile expressed gratitude for the hard work of their team, stating, “Their commitment ensured that our passengers could travel as planned, despite the challenges faced.”
Meanwhile, EasyJet acknowledged possible changes to their flight schedules and assured affected passengers would be notified. Irish airline Aer Lingus anticipates no significant operational disruptions, while British Airways reported only three of their aircraft required the update, minimizing impact.
Airports across the UK, including London Gatwick, Stansted, and Manchester, reported that flights were running on schedule, with only a few minor delays expected. A spokesperson for Gatwick stated, “Yesterday’s directive may result in a small number of delays over the weekend. No cancellations are expected.”
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander reassured the public, stating, “I would really like to thank the experts, staff, and airlines who are working at pace to address this.” She emphasized the importance of maintaining high safety standards in aviation.
As airlines continue to manage the situation, travelers are encouraged to check with their carriers for the latest updates and remain vigilant for any potential changes to their flight plans. The situation remains fluid, and authorities are monitoring developments closely.
For now, the majority of UK travelers can proceed with their plans, confident that the airline industry is addressing safety concerns head-on and prioritizing passenger safety.
