Thousands of Airbus planes are resuming normal service after a widespread grounding caused by a software warning that solar radiation could interfere with onboard flight control systems.
The French aerospace giant said around 6,000 of its A320 series aircraft were affected globally, with most fixed through overnight software updates. Roughly 900 older models will require full computer replacements before returning to service.
French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot confirmed that updates “went very smoothly” for over 5,000 planes, adding that “fewer than 100 aircraft” still required the fix. Airbus said the updates were largely completed overnight, minimising disruption.
Air France reported several delays and cancellations from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport early Saturday, though most European flights have now resumed. Tabarot said the impact was more pronounced in the United States, where the issue coincided with the busy Thanksgiving travel weekend.
American Airlines confirmed 340 planes were affected and warned of “some operational delays”, while Delta Airlines said the disruption to its fleet would be “limited.” In the UK, Heathrow and Manchester airports reported minimal impact, while Gatwick experienced “some disruption.” EasyJet said it had completed updates on most aircraft and planned normal operations, while Wizz Air confirmed it was running flights as scheduled.
Australia’s Jetstar cancelled 90 flights after about a third of its fleet was affected, with delays expected to continue through the weekend despite most updates being completed.
Airbus identified the issue after a JetBlue Airways flight between the US and Mexico lost altitude and was forced into an emergency landing in October, injuring 15 passengers. Investigations revealed that radiation from the Sun had corrupted altitude data processed by the aircraft’s flight computers.
The affected models include the A318, A319, A320, and A321. Airbus said about 5,100 of these could be fixed with the software patch, while older planes will need replacement computers, which could take time depending on parts availability.
Airbus stressed that no additional safety risk existed once updates were applied, and global aviation regulators have cleared the planes for service following the fix.