Airbus has taken the precautionary measure of grounding around 6,000 A320 aircraft after an investigation revealed that intense solar radiation might corrupt critical flight control systems. This risk, discovered post-incident involving an altitude drop in a plane flying between the US and Mexico, has led to widespread disruptions, albeit primarily manageable through a software update.
The UK's aviation regulator acknowledged that there will be some impacts on flights, although the effect on operations at airports remains limited. This grounding affects nearly half of Airbus's global fleet, with expectations that most planes could return to service after a swift update, typically taking around three hours.
However, for about 900 older Airbus models, a more extensive overhaul will be required, including physical replacements of onboard computers, potentially prolonging their return to service.
Public data indicates that Air France has been hit hardest, with numerous cancellations reported as the airline struggles to respond to the emergency airworthiness directive from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). In contrast, major airlines like British Airways and Delta Airlines expect to face limited disruptions, with steps already underway for updates.
«The identified vulnerability is a reflection of the high safety standards of the aviation industry,” said Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, while urging travelers to check with their carriers for the latest information amidst this unusual situation.
As the scenario unfolds during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year, the aviation community remains vigilant, prioritizing passenger safety above all.
