Airbus Orders Urgent A320 Software Fix After Solar Radiation Risk
European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has announced an urgent software update for its popular A320 series jets, citing risks that intense solar radiation could compromise critical flight-control data. As a result, the update must be completed before each aircraft’s next scheduled flight.
According to Al Jazeera Online, Airbus issued the announcement on Friday, 28 November, stating that severe solar activity has the potential to damage essential flight-control-related information on A320 aircraft. Approximately 6,000 A320 family aircraft currently operating worldwide will require this software change.
Industry insiders say the decision could cause disruptions to global flight operations.
Reports indicate that Airbus’ sudden move follows a 30 October incident involving a JetBlue A320. The aircraft, operating a flight from Mexico to Newark, suddenly began losing altitude uncontrollably mid-air. Several passengers were injured before the jet made an emergency landing in Tampa, Florida.
Airbus has stated that around two-thirds of the affected aircraft will need to be rolled back to a previous software version, a process requiring the jets to be grounded for a short period—about two hours. The remaining aircraft will need hardware replacements, which will take significantly longer. Consequently, flight delays or cancellations are likely.
DBTech/BB/IK/OR
