Airbus has mandated an urgent software update for more than 6,000 A320-family jets worldwide after a critical flaw was linked to intense solar radiation interfering with flight control systems. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued an emergency airworthiness directive late Friday, requiring the fix before any affected aircraft can fly, a move mirrored by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The issue centers on the ELAC 2 system, manufactured by Thales, which handles stabilizer functions and flight limits in Airbus's fly-by-wire technology. This follows a JetBlue flight from Cancun to Newark on October 30 that experienced a sudden mid-air drop, forcing an emergency landing in Tampa; investigators blamed data corruption from solar radiation.
Airlines globally are scrambling to implement updates, leading to widespread cancellations and delays. American Airlines reported 209 aircraft needed inspections, with fewer than 150 unresolved by Friday night, while IndiGo in India cleared 160 of 200 planes by Saturday. In Colombia, Avianca suspended ticket sales until December 8 due to over 70% fleet impact, and Japan's ANA Holdings canceled 95 flights affecting 13,200 passengers. The fix ranges from quick software downloads to hardware replacements, potentially grounding some jets for weeks.
Airbus emphasized the recall aims to ensure long-term safety, with stock prices remaining stable despite the disruptions. The A320, including newer neo models, relies on a core computer system, highlighting aviation's growing dependence on software integrity.
