29-11-2025

Airbus Grounded due to Software Issue

Date: 29-11-2025
Sources: bbc.com: 1 | cnbc.com: 1 | news.sky.com: 2 | nypost.com: 1 | straitstimes.com: 1
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Image Source:

Source: straitstimes.com

Image content: The image shows a group of people at a train station, with various signs and displays indicating disruptions to train services. 1. The main subject or scene is a group of people gathered around a signboard at a train station. 2. Visible elements include several individuals with luggage, a digital display showing train information, and signs indicating alternative travel routes and train service adjustments. 3. The image conveys that there are disruptions to train services, as indicated by the signs. The image depicts a group of people with luggage standing at a train station, where signs indicate train service adjustments and alternative travel routes are available. A digital display shows a train arriving in 1 minute. The scene suggests that the travelers are seeking information about their journey amidst the disruptions.

Summary

Airbus has grounded around 6,000 A320 planes worldwide due to a software issue that could cause flight control computers to be affected by intense solar radiation, causing disruptions and cancellations to flights globally, particularly during the peak travel period around the US Thanksgiving weekend.

Key Points

  • Airbus has grounded approximately 6,000 A320 planes worldwide due to a software issue linked to solar flares
  • The issue was triggered by a JetBlue flight incident on October 30, which led to an emergency directive from aviation authorities
  • Most planes will require a software update, while around 900 older aircraft will need physical replacement of onboard computers
  • Several airlines, including American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines, have been impacted, with some canceling or delaying flights
  • The fix is expected to take 2-3 hours for most planes, but some may be affected for longer

Articles in this Cluster

Flights disrupted after Airbus discovers intense sun radiation could impact flight control data

Airbus has grounded around 6,000 of its A320 planes worldwide due to a software issue that could cause flight control computers to be affected by intense solar radiation. The issue was discovered after an investigation into an incident in October where a JetBlue Airways flight lost altitude and made an emergency landing. Most planes will be able to fly again after a software update, but around 900 older aircraft will require physical replacement of onboard computers. The grounding has caused some disruption and cancellations to flights around the world, particularly in the US over the Thanksgiving weekend.
Entities: Airbus, A320, JetBlue Airways, US, MexicoTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Airbus A320 recall disrupts global travel after glitch linked to solar flares

A software issue linked to solar flares has prompted Airbus to order immediate fixes for 6,000 A320-series aircraft worldwide, disrupting global travel during a peak period. The directive affected over half of the narrow-body fleet, grounding jets and causing thousands of travelers to be stranded. Airlines such as American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines were impacted, with some canceling or delaying flights. The issue was triggered by a JetBlue incident on October 30, which led to an emergency directive from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. Airbus attributed the glitch to 'intense solar radiation' corrupting data critical to flight controls.
Entities: Airbus, A320, European Union Aviation Safety Agency, JetBlue, American AirlinesTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Software issue hits thousands of Airbus A320 planes - UK passengers warned of potential disruption | UK News | Sky News

A software issue has affected thousands of Airbus A320 planes, prompting a warning to UK passengers of potential disruption. The issue was triggered by a JetBlue flight that experienced a sharp loss of altitude due to intense solar radiation corrupting data critical to flight controls. Airbus has issued an alert and is requiring a software update on approximately 6,000 planes, with some also needing new hardware. The fix is expected to take 2-3 hours for most planes, but some may be affected for longer. Several airlines, including EasyJet, British Airways, and American Airlines, have been impacted, with some cancelling flights or delaying updates. The UK's Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, has stated that the impact on UK airlines seems limited, while the US Transportation Secretary, Sean Duffy, has assured that America's skies are safe.
Entities: Airbus, A320, JetBlue, UK, Heidi AlexanderTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Why Airbus plane's sudden drop in altitude led to thousands needing software updates | World News | Sky News

Airbus has ordered software updates for 6,000 of its jets, around half the global fleet, due to a software issue triggered by intense solar radiation. The issue was discovered after a JetBlue flight experienced a sudden uncommanded drop in altitude, injuring 15 passengers. The software update is required to prevent a 'bit flip' where solar radiation can corrupt data critical to flight controls. The update is expected to take 2-3 hours for most aircraft, but some may require hardware replacement, taking longer. Airlines such as easyJet and Wizz Air will take some planes out of service briefly to carry out the repairs, potentially causing travel disruptions.
Entities: Airbus, JetBlue, Cancun, Mexico, NewarkTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Airbus grounds 6K planes after jet suddenly lost altitude mid-flight | New York Post

Airbus has grounded over 6,000 of its A320 jets for an urgent software update after a JetBlue flight suddenly lost altitude mid-flight due to a software flaw that could leave pilots unable to steer during solar storms. The decision could throw the global holiday travel season into chaos, with airlines across the US, South America, Europe, and India warning of widespread flight delays and cancellations. The software flaw was discovered after an investigation into the October 30 JetBlue flight incident, which injured 15 passengers and forced an emergency landing in Florida. Airbus has worked proactively with aviation authorities to request immediate precautionary action from operators and ensure the fleet is safe to fly.
Entities: Airbus, A320, JetBlue, Federal Aviation Administration, CancunTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Global airlines affected by Airbus’ major A320 recall | The Straits Times

Airbus has ordered a major recall of its A320 jets, affecting over half of the global fleet, due to a software issue that requires immediate repair. The recall impacts numerous airlines worldwide, including American Airlines, Lufthansa, Avianca, and others, potentially causing flight delays and cancellations during the busiest travel weekend of the year in the US. Airlines are working to complete the necessary updates, with some expecting significant operational disruptions.
Entities: Airbus, A320, American Airlines, Lufthansa, AviancaTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform