Europe’s aviation safety authority, EASA, has ordered up to 6,000 Airbus A320 aircraft worldwide to undergo urgent checks and fixes. The problem involves a flight-control computer called the Elevator Aileron Computer (ELAC), which may malfunction after exposure to strong solar radiation. This computer controls the aircraft’s ailerons and elevators, which manage the plane’s pitch (up and down movement) and roll (side-to-side tilt).
The issue first came to attention when a JetBlue Airbus A320 experienced a sudden drop in altitude in October while flying. The autopilot remained on, and the aircraft stabilized safely, but the incident raised serious safety concerns. Airbus investigated and found that intense solar radiation can interfere with ELAC’s software, corrupting its data. If the ELAC system receives incorrect information, it can cause the plane to move without pilot input, which is highly dangerous.
EASA warned that, in the worst case, this problem could push the aircraft beyond its structural limits. To prevent any accidents, it issued an emergency airworthiness directive ordering airlines not to operate affected A320s until the required fixes are completed. This makes it one of the largest safety actions in Airbus history.
The solution depends on the age of the aircraft. Newer A320 planes only need a software update, which can be done in a few hours. Older planes, however, require hardware replacements, which can take several weeks. Overall, around 1,000 older aircraft will take more time to fix, while most of the others can be updated quickly with a software patch.
The problem has caused flight delays and cancellations worldwide. In the United States, airlines including JetBlue, American Airlines, Delta, and United reported affected aircraft and some disrupted flights, especially during the busy Thanksgiving weekend.
In Europe and Asia, major carriers such as Air France, Lufthansa, EasyJet, ANA Japan, and Air New Zealand also experienced delays or cancellations. Airports and passengers had to adjust quickly to rescheduling, while airlines worked to implement the fixes as fast as possible.
India, which has one of the world’s largest A320 fleets, has been affected too. Major Indian carriers are taking immediate action:
IndiGo: 200 aircraft affected; no flights cancelled; 143 planes already updated.
Air India: 113 aircraft affected; 42 updated; some delays expected.
Air India Express: 25 aircraft affected; 8 flights delayed; 4 planes fixed.
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The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India has ordered all airlines to ensure that these planes are updated or repaired before flying. Most fixes across Indian carriers are expected to be completed within a few days.
Airbus explained that the issue is linked to the latest software version, which made the ELAC system more sensitive to solar radiation. When radiation is strong, especially at high altitudes, it can interfere with the plane’s electronics and trigger sudden movements like a nose-down pitch.
Experts say that while the problem is serious, most affected aircraft can be fixed quickly, and the risk to passengers is low if the planes are properly updated. Airlines are also taking extra precautions to ensure safety while implementing the software and hardware changes.
Passengers flying on A320 aircraft are advised to check with their airlines before travel, as some flights may still be delayed or rescheduled until all planes in the fleet are confirmed safe to operate. Airports, airline staff, and regulators are working together to minimize disruption and maintain passenger confidence.
This incident highlights the challenges of modern aviation technology. Even sophisticated systems like ELAC can be affected by natural phenomena such as solar radiation. Aviation authorities around the world are now reviewing similar aircraft and systems to ensure that unexpected issues do not compromise flight safety.
Airbus and regulators have emphasized that safety is their top priority. By issuing emergency directives and requiring immediate updates, authorities are acting proactively to prevent accidents. The company also plans to continue monitoring ELAC performance and provide additional guidance to airlines if necessary.
In conclusion, while the grounding of thousands of Airbus A320 planes has caused temporary inconvenience, the quick response from airlines, Airbus, and aviation authorities is aimed at keeping passengers safe. With software updates for newer planes and hardware replacements for older ones, all affected aircraft are expected to be back in operation soon, restoring confidence in the world’s most popular single-aisle aircraft.
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