Airbus today announced that airlines globally implement a critical software update for A320 family aircraft. This action addresses a vulnerability identified after a JetBlue flight experienced a sudden altitude drop last month.
The incident occurred on a flight from Cancun to Newark, prompting an emergency diversion to Tampa. Analysis revealed that intense solar radiation corrupted data in the Elevator Aileron Computer (ELAC), introduced by a recent software revision. No serious injuries resulted, but the event highlighted the need for immediate enhancements.
Airbus issued the software patch to mitigate this risk. The update requires two to three hours per aircraft and applies during routine maintenance. Major carriers, including American Airlines with 209 affected planes, Delta with fewer than 50, United with six, and All Nippon Airways with over 30, complete the fixes swiftly.
An Airbus spokesperson stated, "Safety remains our top priority. This proactive measure ensures continued reliability for the A320 family, one of the world's most trusted aircraft." The European Union Aviation Safety Agency noted potential short-term flight disruptions during implementation.
Airlines anticipate minimal impacts, with most updates finishing by Friday evening. Passengers should monitor flight statuses amid the busy travel season.