Airbus has issued a grounding order for nearly 6,000 of its A320-family jets after discovering a software vulnerability that could cause flight control computers to malfunction when exposed to intense cosmic radiation.
The issue, which affects almost half of the company’s global fleet, was identified following an investigation into an October incident where a JetBlue Airways flight suddenly lost altitude, forcing an emergency landing.
Limited Disruption, Widespread Action
While the grounding is extensive, the impact on travelers has been muted so far. The majority of the affected planes—about 5,100 aircraft—require only a three-hour software update and are quickly returning to service. However, approximately 900 older jets need a physical computer replacement, which could lead to longer-term cancellations for some airlines.
Airlines worldwide are responding at different speeds. Carriers like Wizz Air and Easyjet reported quickly implementing the update, while others faced more significant disruptions. Air France cancelled 50 flights, and Australia’s Jetstar cancelled 90, with disruptions expected to continue through the weekend.
The UK’s aviation regulator acknowledged “some disruption,” but major hubs like Heathrow reported no cancellations. In the US, airlines like American and Delta worked to update their fleets during the busy Thanksgiving travel period, expecting minimal operational impact.
Airbus has apologized for the “operational disruption,” and analysts note that while the situation is unusual, the coordinated response has so far prevented a major travel crisis.
By James Kisoo
