Airbus has resolved the majority of its technical issues involving thousands of jets affected by a software glitch, but the company faced a downturn in its share prices after uncovering an additional problem related to fuselage panels. Over the weekend, airlines globally experienced significant cancellations and delays as the French aerospace giant ordered immediate repairs on around 6,000 A320 family jets—over half of its total fleet.
The trouble began last week when Airbus announced that a recent incident revealed “intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls.” This marked a historic recall for the company and came just after the A320 surpassed Boeing’s 737 as the most-delivered aircraft in the industry. The recall coincided with the Thanksgiving travel period in the United States, leaving major airlines like Delta, United, and American Airlines vulnerable during one of the busiest times of the year.
Despite the significant initial number of affected aircraft, Airbus stated that the vast majority have already received fixes. Fewer than 100 aircraft remain needing a software update, with further estimates suggesting that up to 15% may still require hardware upgrades. The repair process for most of the affected jets is straightforward, involving the installation of a previous software version that takes approximately two to three hours per aircraft to complete.
However, after reports surfaced of a separate quality issue concerning a limited number of metal panels on the A320, Airbus’s shares fell by as much as 6%. A spokesperson from the company confirmed that they are taking a cautious approach, conducting inspections on all potentially impacted aircraft, while assuring that only a portion will require further corrective measures.
For airlines like easyJet and Wizz Air, the transition appears manageable, with both companies reporting no flight cancellations and successful software updates completed over the past weekend. Nevertheless, for older A320 aircraft, typically around 900 planes, the required fixes may necessitate hardware changes, which could lead to extended ground time due to supply limitations.
JetBlue, an American low-cost carrier, indicated that it would return 137 out of the 150 affected aircraft to service by Monday, although it anticipates cancelling about 20 flights as a precaution.
Despite the recent share dip, Airbus remains resilient, with its stock still up about 20% for the year. The company, headquartered near Toulouse, supports a global workforce of approximately 157,000 employees.
This swift identification and response to technical glitches highlight Airbus’s commitment to aviation safety. The quick action taken by the company and its clients may inspire confidence in the industry’s ability to address challenges promptly, ensuring the integrity of air travel remains a top priority.