Airlines across the world faced major disruptions on Friday after Airbus issued an urgent alert about a software fault in A320 aircraft. The company warned that intense solar radiation could corrupt key flight-control data. It urged airlines to act immediately and update affected systems.
The alert followed an October incident involving a JetBlue A320 that suddenly nosedived due to a computer malfunction. Pilots diverted the aircraft to Tampa, where several passengers reported injuries.
Air France cancelled 35 flights on Friday and expects more cancellations on Saturday. The airline said it is informing customers by SMS and email. Avianca reported that 70 percent of its fleet faces the same problem and warned of serious disruptions for at least ten days.
Airbus said most aircraft will need only a few hours for the fix. However, about 1,000 planes may require weeks of work. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency confirmed the issue and noted that safety remains its top priority.
American Airlines began software updates soon after receiving the alert. It expects to service most of its 340 affected planes by Saturday, though it anticipates several delays. United Airlines reported no impact on its operations.
The A320 remains the world’s best-selling aircraft, with more than 12,000 delivered.
