Airlines Report Short-Term Disruptions Due to Airbus Software Update

Airlines are facing short-term disruptions as they prepare for a critical software update affecting thousands of Airbus A320 aircraft, coinciding with the busy Thanksgiving travel weekend. This emergency update arises from a flight incident on October 30 involving JetBlue, where a flight from Cancun to Newark experienced severe control issues, resulting in a rapid descent and injuries to several passengers.

Incident Overview

On October 30, a JetBlue flight encountered a malfunction with its flight controls, dropping approximately 100 feet in just seven seconds before being diverted to Tampa, Florida. According to Vivian Shedd, a spokesperson for Tampa Fire Rescue, 15 to 20 people sustained injuries during the incident and were subsequently hospitalized. Investigations revealed that “intense solar radiation” may have corrupted critical flight control data, prompting Airbus to recommend an immediate software update for the A320 family, which constitutes a significant portion of commercial aircraft used by U.S. airlines.

Regulatory Actions

In response to the incident, both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued emergency orders that took effect on November 29. These directives effectively ground the affected aircraft until the necessary updates are completed. The updates can be performed while allowing each aircraft to be flown up to three times without passengers to relocate them for the fixes.

Impact on Airlines

The timing of the update is significant, as U.S. travelers return home from Thanksgiving festivities, a period typically characterized by increased air traffic. An estimated 31 million passengers are expected to travel by air in the U.S. from November 21 through the end of the holiday weekend, marking start of the busiest periods in 15 years.

Affected Fleets

More than 500 U.S.-registered Airbus A320 aircraft are impacted by this software update. Key U.S. airlines utilize the A320 family extensively:

• American Airlines originally reported over 340 affected planes but later revised this figure down to 209, with expectations that most will be updated on November 29.
• Delta Air Lines anticipates that fewer than 50 of its A320 aircraft will require the update.
• United Airlines confirmed that only six of their Airbus jets are affected.
• Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines, which operate exclusively with A320 models, are also adjusting schedules in response to the directive.

Hawaiian Airlines reported no impact from the update, underscoring the varied effects experienced by different carriers.

International Response

Globally, the situation has led to notable operational disruptions, including the cancellation of 65 domestic flights by Japan’s All Nippon Airways as it grapples with the software updates. Air India, however, noted that over 40% of its affected planes had completed the update process without cancellations noted at the time.

In Europe, disruptions have been minimal, according to various transportation officials, with limited impacts reported in the UK, Germany, and Scandinavian countries.

Industry Reaction

Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury expressed regret over the situation in a LinkedIn post, assuring customers that the company is working diligently to facilitate these updates promptly, ensuring safety remains the top priority.

As airlines continue to navigate these challenges, passengers are advised to stay informed about potential delays or cancellations as the updates are implemented.

For travelers seeking accommodations during this hectic period, consider booking a stay via Booking.com.

The information in this article was contributed by the Associated Press.