URGENT UPDATE: A major software issue at Airbus is set to disrupt thousands of flights this weekend, affecting airlines including British Airways, easyJet, and Wizz Air. The manufacturer has identified a critical problem with software on its popular A320 aircraft, which could impact up to 6,000 planes worldwide.
This revelation comes after an incident involving a JetBlue flight from Cancún, Mexico, to Newark, New Jersey, on October 30, where passengers experienced a sudden loss of altitude, resulting in injuries. Airbus stated that intense solar radiation may corrupt data vital to flight controls, prompting an urgent software upgrade across its fleet.
Passengers flying with easyJet and Wizz Air have been warned of potential delays and cancellations as airlines scramble to implement the necessary updates. British Airways, which primarily operates A320 aircraft for its short-haul flights from Heathrow and Gatwick, has reported that only three of its planes are affected. However, the airline reassured travelers that it expected to complete software updates overnight, minimizing disruptions.
Airbus confirmed that the software update will typically take between two to three hours for most aircraft. However, a subset of planes will require new hardware to support the update, leading to extended downtime for those specific aircraft. Additional models, including the A319 and A321, are also believed to be impacted by this software issue.
The Civil Aviation Authority has confirmed it is anticipating flight cancellations and disruptions as a result of this urgent situation. The A320 model, which recently surpassed Boeing’s 737 in the number of deliveries, is a key player in the short-haul aviation market, making this issue particularly concerning for travelers.
As this story develops, travelers are urged to check with their airlines for the latest updates and possible impacts on their travel plans. Stay tuned for more information as we continue to monitor this urgent situation.
