Airbus confirms software fix for majority of A320 jets, fewer than 100 planes left to update

LONDON Airbus has confirmed that the bulk of its 6,000-strong A320 fleet has been upgraded with a software fix designed to correct a flight control issue. The updates were rolled out after minor travel interruptions were reported as airlines worldwide worked to implement the changes before the busy holiday travel period.

The European aircraft manufacturer initially highlighted the software concern on Friday, coinciding with the peak U.S. Thanksgiving travel season. On Monday, Airbus stated that the vast majority of its short-haul passenger jets have now received the required updates.

We are collaborating closely with our airline partners to modify the remaining fewer than 100 aircraft so they can return to operational service, said Airbus, based in Toulouse, France. The company extended apologies to passengers and carriers affected by delays or disruptions caused by the issue.

Airbus identified that intense solar radiation can interfere with data essential for proper flight control operation. This glitch may have been linked to an incident on October 30, when a JetBlue flight from Cancun to Newark experienced a sudden altitude drop, injuring at least 15 passengers, some of whom required hospital treatment.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency mandated airlines to address the problem through software updates. Over 500 aircraft registered in the U.S., including planes operated by American Airlines and Delta, were affected. Airlines such as Japan's All Nippon Airways, Air India, and Germany's Lufthansa also implemented the fix.

The Airbus A320 family of single-aisle aircraft continues to compete directly with Boeings 737 series in the global short-haul market.

Author: Sophia Brooks