Airbus Software Fix Disrupts Global Flights
- Here's a breakdown of the key data from the article, focusing on the Airbus software issue and its impact:
- * Cause: Intense solar radiation can corrupt data in flight control systems of Airbus A320 family aircraft.
- * Affected Aircraft: Over 500 U.S.-registered aircraft are impacted.
Here’s a breakdown of the key data from the article, focusing on the Airbus software issue and its impact:
The Problem:
* Cause: Intense solar radiation can corrupt data in flight control systems of Airbus A320 family aircraft. This was discovered after a JetBlue incident involving an unusual altitude reading last month.
* Origin: The issue was introduced by a recent software update to the plane’s onboard computers.
* Fix: A new software update is required to address the problem.
Impact & Response:
* Affected Aircraft: Over 500 U.S.-registered aircraft are impacted. Globally, many airlines are affected.
* Airlines Affected (Specifics):
* American Airlines: 209 of 480 A320 family planes affected; mostly updated by Friday, with only 4 remaining as of Saturday.
* Delta: Less than 50 A321neo aircraft affected.
* United: 6 planes affected, expecting minor disruptions.
* Hawaiian airlines: Unaffected.
* Air India: Completed the reset on over 40% of affected aircraft,no cancellations.
* All Nippon Airways (Japan): Canceled 65 domestic flights on Saturday, with potential for more on Sunday.
* FAA & EU Aviation Safety Agency: Both are requiring airlines to implement the software update.
* Airbus: CEO Guillaume Faury apologized for the “significant logistical challenges and delays” caused by the fix and stated teams are working to deploy updates quickly.
* Travel disruption: The fix is happening during the busiest travel time in the U.S. (Thanksgiving weekend), potentially causing disruptions. the EU safety agency anticipates “short-term disruption” to flight schedules.
* Pope’s Flight: The Pope’s plane (ITA Airways Airbus A320neo) also requires the update, with the necessary component and technician being sent to Istanbul.
In essence,a software flaw triggered by solar radiation is forcing a widespread update of Airbus A320 family aircraft,leading to potential flight disruptions,especially during the busy Thanksgiving travel period.