The implementation of a corrective solution in certain A320 aircraft is causing logistical challenges and significant delays. “I sincerely apologize to our customers and affected passengers. Safety is our highest priority,” stated Faury on social media.
The CEO of Airbus assured that the company’s teams “are tirelessly working to support operators and implement updates as quickly as possible, to return the aircraft to service and restore normal operations, with the level of safety expected from Airbus.”
The issue was unveiled following a control systems failure during a JetBlue flight from Cancún to Newark, New Jersey, on October 30. The plane experienced a sudden altitude drop, prompting an emergency landing in Tampa, Florida.
Analysis by experts revealed that the problem stemmed from the systems’ strong exposure to solar radiation at an intensity previously untested, prompting Airbus to introduce these modifications.
Over 6,000 aircraft, half of the A320, the best-selling commercial aircraft in history, were affected, though most only required a software update to maintain safety standards.
Initially, Airbus indicated that 1,000 aircraft needed more extensive maintenance, potentially grounding them for weeks. However, French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot later stated that only about a hundred would be affected.
This development led to hundreds of flight cancellations on Friday, yet most airlines were able to rebook affected passengers on other flights, minimizing the actual impact.
The intervention caused some cancellations and delays in Europe, but the impact was more significant in Asia and America, according to various airlines.
Most indicated they swiftly carried out the software update recommended by Airbus.
In France, Air France canceled 35 flights on Friday and expected to cancel 20 more today, ensuring all passengers would reach their destinations by day’s end, with the situation anticipated to normalize.
German carrier Lufthansa also updated its aircraft systems overnight and does not foresee any cancellations, though delays are not ruled out.
Portuguese TAP, British Easyjet, Belgian Brussels Airlines, Swiss, and Spanish Iberia reported limited impact, without flight cancellations, as Iberia’s technicians worked overnight to complete necessary updates.
Outside Europe, the impact was more pronounced. Japan’s ANA canceled 65 flights, Australia’s JetStar about a hundred, the Philippines’ PAL and Cebu Pacific 80, and Mexico’s Volaris announced suspensions and delays until Sunday, without specifying numbers.
Colombian airline Avianca, with a strong presence across Latin America, indicated that 70% of its fleet required updates, which would cause “significant disruptions” to its flights without further details.
Airline teams in the United States are working diligently to prevent these operations from affecting their flights during a particularly busy weekend due to the anticipated high volume of flights for Thanksgiving.
The Airbus A320, in service since 1988, is the world’s best-selling aircraft. As of September, Airbus had surpassed Boeing’s 737, delivering 12,257 A320s (including executive class versions) compared to 12,254 Boeing 737s.
