Airbus grounds thousands of jets after identifying solar radiation data risk

Airbus has grounded thousands of aircraft in its A320 family after discovering that intense solar radiation could interfere with onboard flight-control computers, potentially corrupting data used to calculate a jet's elevation at high altitude.

The issue affects the A318, A319, A320 and A321 models, including about 6,000 A320-family aircraft — roughly half of the European manufacturer's global fleet. The jets operate with a "fly-by-wire" system in which computers interpret pilot inputs rather than using direct mechanical links, says BBC.

Airbus identified the vulnerability while investigating an October incident in which a JetBlue Airways flight operating between the United States and Mexico experienced a sudden loss of altitude. The aircraft diverted to Florida, where at least 15 people were injured. Airbus has said this was the only event of its kind recorded.

Following the discovery, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency issued an emergency airworthiness directive requiring airlines to address the problem before carrying passengers. Affected aircraft may conduct ferry flights without passengers to reach maintenance facilities.

The manufacturer said the fix depends on the age and configuration of each jet. About 5,100 aircraft can be returned to service after a software update that takes approximately three hours. Roughly 900 older aircraft will require physical replacement of onboard computers and will remain out of passenger service until parts are available.

Airbus said the situation will cause "operational disruption to passengers and customers" and issued an apology.

Aviation analysts described the mass grounding as unusual, though overall safety standards remain high.

Impacts vary across airlines. The UK's aviation regulator said travellers should expect "some disruption and cancellations to flights", though effects at Heathrow have been limited, while Gatwick reported "some disruption". American Airlines said 340 of its aircraft were affected and anticipated "some operational delays," but expected to complete most updates quickly. Australia's Jetstar cancelled 90 flights. EasyJet said it had begun and "already completed the software update on many aircraft", while Lufthansa was reported to be considering taking aircraft out of service to carry out the work.

The disruption coincided with the busy US Thanksgiving travel period, though the UK Transport Secretary said the impact on UK carriers appeared limited and welcomed the rapid identification and mitigation of the issue.