Airbus has warned airlines of urgent modifications after discovering that intense solar radiation can affect critical flight-control systems, potentially causing delays and cancellations. About 6,000 aircraft are affected, most needing a software update, while around 900 older planes require hardware replacements and will be temporarily grounded. The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said the updates could lead to “some disruption and cancellations to flights.”
The issue emerged after a JetBlue A320 made an emergency landing in Florida on 30 October due to a sudden altitude drop, injuring at least 15 passengers. The problem affects the A320 family, including the A318, A319, A320 and A321. Intense solar and cosmic radiation can interfere with the ELAC flight-control computer, which controls pitch and roll on fly-by-wire aircraft. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued an emergency directive requiring airlines to replace ELAC units on the most at-risk planes before returning them to service.
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Airlines are responding: Wizz Air has scheduled updates, Air India warned of possible delays, and EasyJet said it expects “some disruption,” adding: “Safety is our highest priority and easyJet operates its fleet in strict compliance with manufacturers guidelines.” British Airways is expected to see limited impact.
The CAA advised passengers to check flights. Policy director Tim Johnson said: “That unfortunately may mean some disruption, delays or cancellations over the coming days.” Aviation-safety director Giancarlo Buono added: “Passengers should check with their airline whether their flights are affected.”
Airbus instructed airlines to take “immediate precautionary action… to implement software and/or hardware protection and ensure the fleet is safe to fly.”