Airlines Worldwide Implement Software Update for Airbus A320 Fleet
WASHINGTON D.C. – Airlines globally are rapidly deploying a software update to address a potential flight control issue affecting Airbus A320 family aircraft, triggered by intense solar radiation.The update comes after an incident on a JetBlue flight from Cancun, Mexico, to Newark, New Jersey, on October 30, wich resulted in 15 passenger injuries and a diversion to Tampa, Florida.
An analysis by Airbus revealed that strong solar radiation can corrupt data critical to the operation of flight controls in the A320 series. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has mandated the software fix for all A320 operators, warning of “short-term alterations” to flight schedules.
American Airlines, operating approximately 480 A320 family aircraft, stated that 209 planes require the update. The airline anticipates completing the majority of updates by Friday, with a small number finished on Saturday. While acknowledging potential delays,American Airlines emphasized its commitment to minimizing cancellations during the peak post-Thanksgiving travel period,prioritizing passenger safety.
Delta Air Lines expects the issue to impact fewer than 50 of its A321neo planes, while United Airlines reported six affected aircraft and anticipates minor disruptions. Hawaiian Airlines confirmed it would not be affected by the update.
According to Mike Stengel,a partner at AeroDynamic Advisory,the software update can be implemented during routine aircraft checks or between flights,typically taking around two hours per plane. “It’s definitely not ideal that this is happening on a very ubiquitous airplane on a very busy (U.S.) holiday weekend,” Stengel said. “Although, again, the plus side is that it should only take a few hours to update the software.”
The A320 family is the world’s best-selling single-aisle aircraft, and a primary competitor to Boeing’s 737. Airbus, headquartered in France and registered in the Netherlands, updated its engine in the mid-2010s, resulting in the A320neo series.
