Airbus announces software fix completed for majority of A320 jets, fewer than 100 planes still require update

LONDON Airbus announced that most of its 6,000-strong A320 fleet has undergone a software update aimed at resolving a glitch that could potentially impact flight controls. The update came as airlines worldwide worked to implement the fix, leading to minor travel disruptions over the weekend.

The alert about the software issue was issued last Friday, coinciding with peak U.S. Thanksgiving travel, one of the busiest periods for air travel in the country. On Monday, Airbus reported that the vast majority of its short-haul aircraft had received the required modifications.

We are coordinating with our airline partners to apply updates to fewer than 100 remaining planes so they can resume normal operations, Airbus, based in Toulouse, France, stated. The company also expressed regret for any inconvenience caused to passengers and airlines.

Airbus identified that intense solar radiation might disrupt data critical to flight control systems. This issue is believed to have contributed to a sudden altitude loss on a JetBlue flight from Cancun to Newark on October 30, injuring at least 15 passengers, some of whom required hospital treatment.

Both the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency mandated that airlines apply the necessary software corrections. Over 500 U.S.-registered A320s were affected, including planes operated by American Airlines and Delta. International carriers such as Japan's All Nippon Airways, Air India, and Germany's Lufthansa were also impacted.

The Airbus A320 series, a single-aisle aircraft line, remains a primary rival to Boeings 737.

Author: Sophia Brooks