Airlines globally are grappling with transient disruptions as they implement software corrections for a widely utilized commercial aircraft, following an assessment that suggested a potential link between the computer code and a precipitous altitude drop experienced by a JetBlue flight last month.
On Friday, Airbus announced that the inquiry into the JetBlue incident indicated that intense solar radiation could jeopardize critical data necessary for the operation of flight controls within the A320 family of aircraft.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has collaborated with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency to mandate airlines to rectify this issue via a software upgrade, affecting over 500 U.S.-registered aircraft.
The EU safety agency warned of potential “short-term disruptions” to flight schedules, attributing the problem to a prior software update of the aircraft’s onboard systems.
Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury expressed regret to clients, acknowledging that the remedial measures resulted in “significant logistical challenges and delays.”
“Our teams are diligently working around the clock to assist our operators and ensure the timely deployment of these updates, restoring normal operations while upholding the safety standards our customers expect from Airbus,” he conveyed via a LinkedIn message on Saturday.
Thanksgiving Disruptions in the U.S.
In Japan, All Nippon Airways, operating more than 30 aircraft, canceled 65 domestic flights scheduled for Saturday, with additional cancellations expected on Sunday.
The software change coincided with the return of U.S. travelers from the Thanksgiving holiday, traditionally the busiest travel period in the nation.
American Airlines operates approximately 480 aircraft from the A320 family, with 209 requiring the update. The airline estimated that the fix would take around two hours for most planes, anticipating that the majority of updates would be completed by Friday.
As of Saturday, only four aircraft remained that required updates, and the airline reported it “expects no further operational impacts.”
Air India stated on X that its engineers were actively implementing the fix, having completed the reset on over 40% of the affected fleet, without any cancellations.
Delta Airlines projected that fewer than 50 of its A321neo aircraft would be impacted, while United Airlines noted that six planes were affected, expecting minimal disruptions to select flights. Hawaiian Airlines confirmed it was not affected by the issue.
Papal Flight Also Requires Software Update
Pope Leo XIV is embarking on his first international trip, visiting Turkey and Lebanon, accompanied by the papal delegation and press aboard an ITA Airways Airbus A320neo charter.
The Vatican spokesperson, Matteo Bruni, mentioned that ITA was addressing the software issue, with the necessary components en route to Istanbul along with a technician for installation. The Pope is expected to fly from Istanbul to Beirut on Sunday afternoon.
European Flights Return to Normalcy
In France, Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot reported that the situation has stabilized, with numerous software updates already implemented. He declared on BFM-TV that the impact has been limited, leading to an “almost complete return to normal in French airports.”
In the U.K., the disruptions remained minimal, with British Airways indicating that only three of its aircraft needed the update, while EasyJet noted potential schedule adjustments, reassuring passengers of timely notifications.
Lufthansa reported that most software updates were completed during the night and Saturday morning, asserting that no flights within the Lufthansa Group are expected to be canceled, albeit minor delays might occur over the weekend.
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) confirmed that its flights were operating normally on Saturday after teams worked overnight to implement the required updates.
Mike Stengel, a partner at the aerospace consulting firm AeroDynamic Advisory, remarked that the fixes could usually be resolved between flights or during overnight maintenance checks.
“While it’s certainly not ideal to face this situation with such a ubiquitous aircraft over a busy holiday weekend, the bright side is that the software updates should only require a few hours to complete,” he stated from Ann Arbor, Michigan.
At least 15 JetBlue passengers sustained injuries and were hospitalized following the October 30 incident involving a flight from Cancun, Mexico, to Newark, New Jersey, which was diverted to Tampa, Florida.
Airbus, headquartered in France yet registered in the Netherlands, stands as one of the leading aircraft manufacturers worldwide, alongside Boeing.
The A320 serves as the principal competitor to Boeing’s 737, with Airbus having updated its engine in the mid-2010s, leading to the designation A320neo. As reported on Airbus’s website, the A320 ranks as the world’s best-selling single-aisle aircraft family.
Source link: Apnews.com.
