UPDATE: A critical software issue affecting up to 6,000 Airbus A320 planes is set to disrupt thousands of flights this weekend, prompting warnings from major airlines including British Airways, easyJet, and Wizz Air. The urgent update follows a serious incident on October 30, when a JetBlue flight experienced a dangerous loss of altitude during its journey from Cancún, Mexico, to Newark, New Jersey, injuring multiple passengers.
Airbus has revealed that intense solar radiation could corrupt data crucial for flight control systems, necessitating immediate software updates across its fleet. Both easyJet and Wizz Air have alerted passengers that they may face delays or cancellations in the coming days as the situation unfolds.
While British Airways operates only Airbus A320 aircraft for its short-haul flights from Heathrow and Gatwick, the airline has indicated that only three planes are directly affected by the software issue. BA expects to complete the necessary updates overnight with minimal disruption.
Airbus estimates that the software update will take approximately two to three hours for most aircraft, but some models may require hardware changes, potentially extending their downtime. The A319 and A321 models are also believed to be impacted by these updates.
The Civil Aviation Authority has advised that some flight cancellations and disruptions are likely as airlines scramble to address the issue. The Airbus A320 is the world’s most popular short-haul aircraft, having recently surpassed Boeing’s 737 for the highest number of deliveries.
Passengers are urged to check with their respective airlines for the latest updates and to prepare for potential travel disruptions. This is a developing story, and further updates will be provided as information becomes available.
