Urgent Software Updates Required for Over 6,000 Airbus A320 Jets Worldwide
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has mandated an emergency software patch for Airbus A320 jets following a critical failure linked to solar radiation interference. More than half of the 11,000 active A320s—the world's most-flown commercial aircraft—require immediate updates, with regulators enforcing a 'no fix, no flight' policy.
The issue stems from the ELAC 2 system, manufactured by Thales, which controls stabilizer functions and flight limits. A recent incident involving a JetBlue flight experiencing sudden mid-air descent without pilot input highlighted the urgency. Airbus acknowledges the update will cause operational disruptions as airlines ground planes for repairs.