What caused the recent flight disruptions for Airbus A320 aircraft?

A software issue, potentially exacerbated by solar radiation, corrupted data critical for flight controls, necessitating an update.

Which airlines were most affected by the A320 software problem?

Airlines like All Nippon Airways, American Airlines, Delta, and United reported varying impacts, including cancellations and delays.

How long will the A320 software fix take for airlines?

The software update typically takes around two hours per aircraft and was largely completed by Friday, with a few finishing Saturday.

Home / Disasters and Accidents / Software Glitch Grounds Global Flights

Software Glitch Grounds Global Flights

29 Nov

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Summary

Software update issue caused temporary flight disruptions globally.
Solar radiation may corrupt critical flight control data.
Over 500 U.S. aircraft and numerous international flights impacted.

Aviation worldwide experienced short-term disruptions as airlines implemented a critical software update for the widely used A320 commercial aircraft family. An analysis following a JetBlue incident indicated intense solar radiation could corrupt flight control data, prompting an FAA and EASA-mandated fix. This required software update impacted over 500 U.S.-registered aircraft, with airlines like All Nippon Airways in Japan canceling dozens of domestic flights.

During one of the busiest U.S. travel periods, airlines focused on limiting cancellations, with American Airlines expecting only a few. Other carriers, including Air India, Delta, and United, reported varying degrees of impact, from minor delays to minimal disruption. European countries like France and the U.K. saw stabilized situations, with French airports reporting an almost complete return to normal.