The global recall of Airbus A320 aircraft has triggered widespread disruption across several major airlines, forcing flight cancellations in the United States, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
The sweeping repair order involves about six thousand planes, more than half of Airbus’ A320 family fleet.
It is one of the largest recalls in the company’s history and has hit short haul aviation networks across Asia, North America and the Pacific.
The recall followed a sharp loss of altitude on a JetBlue flight from Cancun to Newark on October thirty. Several passengers were injured.
The aircraft diverted to Tampa after a sudden drop triggered alarms. Industry sources said the investigation pointed to data corruption caused by intense solar radiation.
JetBlue Airlines said it is working with regulators and Airbus to address software issues identified on its A320 and A321 jets.
Airbus said the fix requires a return to earlier software for most affected jets. Some aircraft will also need hardware changes.
Regulators worldwide are following the European Union Aviation Safety Agency in directing carriers to complete the fix before flights resume. About eleven thousand three hundred A320 family aircraft are in service.
Japan’s ANA cancels dozens of flights
ANA Holdings, the largest operator of Airbus single aisle aircraft in Japan, cancelled sixty five flights on Saturday after grounding part of its A320 fleet.
Peach Aviation flights were also affected. ANA said its rival Japan Airlines was not impacted because it operates mostly Boeing aircraft.
Scenes at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport showed long queues, cancelled departure boards and passengers waiting at refund counters.
Australia and New Zealand see travel disruption
Jetstar Airways said ninety flights were affected across Australia. The carrier identified thirty four planes that need the required software change. The airline said further disruption was expected as work continues.
Airports in Sydney and Melbourne saw long queues and crowded terminals as flights were cancelled.
New Zealand also faced significant delays. Screens in Wellington and Queenstown airports displayed cancellation alerts. Travellers waited beside luggage as staff processed rebookings.
Jetstar’s Chief Pilot Tyrone Simes said the issue was global and that airlines were working to normalise schedules as soon as possible.
Airbus confirms software problem across global fleet
Airbus said the recall was triggered after analysis showed that intense solar radiation may corrupt data vital to flight controls.
The company acknowledged the disruption and said the European regulator would issue an emergency airworthiness directive. The timing has added pressure on airlines ahead of one of the busiest travel weekends in the United States.
The recall affects the backbone of Asian short haul aviation, especially in China and India where demand has surged. Hundreds of aircraft may require hardware changes that could keep them grounded for weeks.
A320 aircraft are central to global aviation networks. The family includes the A320, A319, A321 and related models. The recall covers jets operated by more than three hundred and fifty carriers worldwide.
Airlines said the repairs need to be completed before flights return to normal. The recall adds strain to airports already struggling with peak season traffic. Airbus said it is in close contact with carriers and expects operations to stabilise once the software fixes are installed.
The incident has renewed focus on pressure placed on global fleets as passenger numbers rise. Airlines are now working to restore normal schedules as thousands of travellers adjust their plans.
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Thousands of people gathered across Europe and beyond over the weekend in solidarity with Ukraine, as the war with Russia entered its fifth year.
A powerful winter storm has brought large parts of the U.S. Northeast to a standstill, dumping more than a foot of snow across several states and severely disrupting transport and daily life.
The United Nations mission in Afghanistan said on Monday it had received “credible reports” that at least 13 civilians were killed and seven others injured in overnight Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghanistan.
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