Airbus A320 Software Glitch Update Completed for Most Jets

 Airbus completes the Airbus A320 software glitch update for most jets after regulators ordered urgent fixes to prevent flight-control data issues

Airbus said on Monday that most of its global fleet of 6,000 A320 passenger jets has now installed a critical patch to correct a software glitch that could have affected flight controls. The update comes after airlines around the world rushed over the weekend to implement the Airbus A320 software glitch update, following warnings issued just as millions of Americans traveled for the Thanksgiving holiday.

The European plane maker confirmed the “vast majority” of its short-haul planes have now been updated, significantly reducing the risk of further disruptions. Passengers faced minor delays and aircraft swaps as carriers worked urgently to deploy the Airbus A320 software glitch update, mandated by both U.S. and European aviation regulators.

Airbus said fewer than 100 aircraft still require the modification. “We are working with our airline customers to support the modification of the remaining aircraft to make sure they can be returned to service,” the Toulouse-based company said in a statement. Airbus also issued a public apology for the delays and operational challenges faced by airlines and travelers.

According to Airbus, the software problem involved "intense solar radiation" that had the potential to corrupt data used by critical flight control systems. Investigators are looking into whether the glitch played a role in a sudden drop in altitude on an October 30 JetBlue flight from Cancun to Newark.

At least 15 passengers suffered injuries from that incident, several of whom needed hospitalization. Updates to the Airbus A320 software glitch eliminate the risk of similar events, say aviation authorities.

The FAA and EASA ordered airlines to apply the fix immediately. More than 500 U.S.-registered aircraft were affected, operated by carriers such as American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, among others. The fix applied equally to international carriers flying into the United States, including Air India, Lufthansa, and Japan’s All Nippon Airways.

The Airbus A320 family remains one of the most flown single-aisle jets in the world and the main rival to Boeing's 737 series. The bulk of the fleet has now been updated, with airlines expecting operations to normalize quickly.

Industry analysts say the rapid rollout of the Airbus A320 software glitch update prevented what could have become a lengthy worldwide scheduling challenge. Airbus said it will continue to monitor aircraft systems closely and provide technical support to ensure the final installations of the Airbus A320 software glitch update are completed without further disruption.