Airbus A320 fleet returns to service after software fix
Airbus has confirmed that most of its A320-family aircraft have returned to normal operation after airlines worldwide completed emergency software rollbacks faster than expected.
The European planemaker said that fewer than 100 aircraft still require updates following last week’s urgent safety directive, which addressed a fault in flight control software linked to solar radiation interference.
The recall was ordered after a JetBlue A320 made an unplanned diversion on 30 October, when the aircraft experienced an uncommanded pitch-down movement.
Regulators later traced the issue to the elevator and aileron computer (ELAC), which can be affected by corrupted data from intense solar activity.
Airbus, together with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), instructed operators to revert the affected software version, known as “L104”, to the earlier “L103+”.
Major UK operator of A320 jets easyJet said this morning it had completed software updates on its A320 aircraft family over the weekend following the global recall issued by Airbus on Friday.
The airline said it maintained normal flight operations throughout the weekend and kept its financial outlook unchanged.
In a statement this morning Airbus said: “Following the publication of an Alert Operators Transmission (AOT) on 28 November calling for immediate precautionary action on a number of in-service A320 Family aircraft, Airbus is providing an update on the status of the deployment of these measures across the global fleet.”
“Out of a total of around 6,000 aircraft potentially impacted, the vast majority have now received the necessary modifications. We are working with our airline customers to support the modification of fewer than 100 remaining aircraft to ensure they can be returned to service.”
“Airbus apologises for any challenges and delays caused to passengers and airlines by this event. The company thanks its customers, the authorities, its employees and all relevant stakeholders involved for their support in implementing these measures, and for their understanding of Airbus’s decision to put safety above all other considerations.”
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