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Rabat– Airlines across the globe announced widespread flight delays and cancellations on Saturday following a safety alert from Airbus affecting its popular A320 aircraft. The French aircraft manufacturer advised operators on Friday to take “immediate precautionary action” after investigating a technical malfunction in October.
According to Airbus, “intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls,” potentially affecting a significant number of A320s currently in service. While most aircraft can be updated within a few hours, a source told AFP that around 1,000 planes may require “weeks” for software upgrades.
Airlines have been forced to adjust schedules. Air France reported 35 flight cancellations on Friday and is assessing further disruptions for Saturday, notifying affected passengers individually via email and SMS. Colombian carrier Avianca said 70 percent of its fleet has been impacted by the technical issue.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) confirmed it had been informed by Airbus and emphasized that “safety is paramount,” warning that the precautionary measures may lead to short-term operational disruptions.
The issue stems from a software malfunction on a JetBlue-operated A320 in late October. During a flight from Cancun to Newark, the plane experienced a sudden nosedive, forcing an emergency landing in Tampa, Florida. Some passengers reportedly sustained minor injuries, according to US media. JetBlue declined to comment on the incident but confirmed it had begun necessary updates on affected A320 and A321 aircraft.
Other airlines are following suit. American Airlines said it expects to service the vast majority of its roughly 340 affected planes by Saturday, while United Airlines identified six impacted aircraft, anticipating only minor delays. Delta Air Lines expects to complete its software updates by Saturday morning. Air India and Avianca warned of ongoing delays and disruptions over the next week, while Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific grounded at least 40 domestic flights, offering refunds or rebooked tickets.
The Airbus A320, produced since 1988, is the world’s best-selling commercial aircraft, with 12,257 units sold by the end of September, slightly ahead of the Boeing 737. Airbus has apologized for the inconvenience, acknowledging that the recommended updates would cause operational disruptions but emphasized that the measures are essential to maintain flight safety.
