Airbus has Successfully Fixed Software Glitch Affecting Thousands of Jets
Airbus has completed most of the software updates on its affected planes, averting a major travel disruption. The French plane manufacturer had ordered repairs to over half of its global fleet due to a technical issue that grounded thousands of aircraft worldwide.
The problem was caused by "intense solar radiation" which corrupted data critical to flight controls, leading to cancellations and delays for airlines including Delta, United, American, easyJet, and Wizz Air. With the majority of fixes now complete, only around 100 aircraft remain in need of software updates before they can return to service.
However, some planes may require a more complex hardware upgrade, which could take several weeks due to limited supplies. Analysts estimate that up to 15% of affected planes will need this additional fix.
Airbus apologized for the disruption caused to passengers and airlines, stating that it was committed to addressing the issue swiftly. The UK transport secretary described the situation as "heartening" that the problem had been identified and resolved quickly, highlighting global aviation safety standards.
The airline industry breathed a sigh of relief after most flights were completed without cancellations or disruptions. JetBlue reported that 137 out of its 150 affected aircraft would be back in service by Monday, with only 20 planned flights canceled.
Airbus's shares have fallen around 5% over the past five days but remain up 18% this year due to the swift resolution of the issue and the company's ability to minimize the impact on air travel.
Airbus has completed most of the software updates on its affected planes, averting a major travel disruption. The French plane manufacturer had ordered repairs to over half of its global fleet due to a technical issue that grounded thousands of aircraft worldwide.
The problem was caused by "intense solar radiation" which corrupted data critical to flight controls, leading to cancellations and delays for airlines including Delta, United, American, easyJet, and Wizz Air. With the majority of fixes now complete, only around 100 aircraft remain in need of software updates before they can return to service.
However, some planes may require a more complex hardware upgrade, which could take several weeks due to limited supplies. Analysts estimate that up to 15% of affected planes will need this additional fix.
Airbus apologized for the disruption caused to passengers and airlines, stating that it was committed to addressing the issue swiftly. The UK transport secretary described the situation as "heartening" that the problem had been identified and resolved quickly, highlighting global aviation safety standards.
The airline industry breathed a sigh of relief after most flights were completed without cancellations or disruptions. JetBlue reported that 137 out of its 150 affected aircraft would be back in service by Monday, with only 20 planned flights canceled.
Airbus's shares have fallen around 5% over the past five days but remain up 18% this year due to the swift resolution of the issue and the company's ability to minimize the impact on air travel.