Radiation disrupts key control systems
Airbus grounded thousands of aircraft after finding that strong solar radiation can interfere with vital flight control computers. The move triggered global delays because about 6,000 A320 planes share the same flaw. Most aircraft will return to service once they receive a quick software update.
Officials warn of possible travel problems
The UK aviation regulator cautioned passengers about delays and cancellations, though airports report only limited disruption so far. Airbus found the issue while investigating an October incident where a jet flying between the US and Mexico suddenly lost altitude. The JetBlue aircraft diverted to Florida after several passengers were injured.
Fault spans several Airbus models
The flaw affects the A318, A319, A320 and A321 aircraft. Roughly 5,100 planes only need a three-hour software patch. Another 900 older jets require full computer replacements and cannot fly with passengers until engineers finish the work. The schedule depends on the availability of new hardware. Airbus apologised for the impact on travellers.
Airlines struggle at different levels
An aviation analyst told a London news outlet that the situation is highly unusual. Passenger delays will depend on how quickly each airline completes its updates. British airports report mild effects. Gatwick noted some disruption while Heathrow said it had no cancellations. Manchester Airport expects no major issues.
Airlines experience uneven pressure. British Airways appears less affected. Wizz Air and Air India already started updates. Public data shows Air France facing the heaviest strain with around 50 cancelled flights at its Paris hub. A travel journalist reported this using open flight schedules. EasyJet first warned of delays but later said it completed many updates and plans full Saturday operations.
Thanksgiving rush intensifies US delays
In the United States the issue surfaced during the packed Thanksgiving travel period. American Airlines said 340 planes need updates and warned of some delays but expects most fixes to finish by Saturday. Delta said it anticipates only limited disruption.
Australian flights cancelled across the weekend
In Australia Jetstar cancelled 90 flights after confirming that about a third of its fleet requires updates. The airline expects continued disruption throughout the weekend even though most aircraft already received the patch.
Authorities stress long-standing safety standards
A senior UK aviation official said the Airbus alert will cause delays and cancellations over the coming days. He emphasised that aviation remains extremely safe due to strict maintenance protocols. He described the large-scale grounding as a very rare moment for the industry.
The UK transport secretary said British airlines appear only lightly affected. She praised the swift global reaction and pointed to strong international safety standards.
Solar radiation corrupts altitude software
The flaw concerns software that calculates aircraft elevation. Airbus learned that intense solar radiation at high altitudes can corrupt the data. That caused the October altitude loss. Airbus said no other similar incidents are known.
Europe’s aviation safety agency ordered all affected aircraft to receive updates before carrying passengers again. Planes may still make ferry flights without passengers to reach maintenance facilities. The A320 family uses fly-by-wire controls, meaning computers interpret pilot inputs instead of mechanical systems.
