Flights Grounded: Airbus Software Glitch Causes Travel Headaches

Airlines worldwide are scrambling to fix a software issue on Airbus A320 planes, leading to flight delays and cancellations. The problem was discovered after a JetBlue flight experienced a sudden drop in altitude last month. Investigators found that intense solar radiation could corrupt important flight control data. The FAA and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency ordered airlines to update the software on over 500 U. S. -registered aircraft. This update is expected to cause some short-term disruptions, especially during the busy Thanksgiving travel period. In Japan, All Nippon Airways canceled 65 domestic flights on Saturday, with more cancellations possible on Sunday. American Airlines, which has 209 affected planes, expects delays but aims to minimize cancellations. The fix should take about two hours per aircraft and is expected to be completed by Saturday. Air India has already addressed the issue on more than 40% of its affected planes without any cancellations. Delta and United Airlines also reported minor disruptions, while Hawaiian Airlines remains unaffected. Experts note that while the software update is inconvenient, it is a necessary safety measure. The A320 family of aircraft is widely used, making the timing of this issue particularly challenging. The incident highlights the importance of regular software updates and the potential risks of solar radiation on aircraft systems. While the fixes are being made, travelers should expect some delays and plan accordingly.