Airbus Software Update: Impact on Flights

Airbus, the European aerospace giant, has requested immediate modifications to thousands of its aircraft. This urgent action comes after the discovery that intense solar radiation at high altitudes could potentially corrupt data crucial to flight controls.

Approximately 6,000 planes, about half of Airbus's global fleet, are affected by this issue. Most of these aircraft can undergo a simple software update, which typically takes about three hours. However, around 900 older planes will require computer replacements and cannot carry passengers until the work is completed.

The problem was identified following a recent incident in the US involving an A320 family aircraft. Airbus has apologized for the disruption this may cause to passengers and airlines. Several major airlines, including EasyJet, Wizz Air, and American Airlines, have reported that some of their aircraft are affected and are working on implementing the necessary updates.