Airbus warns solar storms may disrupt A320 flight controls; airlines worldwide scramble to repair thousands of aircraft ahead of holiday travel.
Airlines across the globe are racing to repair thousands of Airbus A320-family aircraft after the manufacturer warned that intense solar radiation could disrupt flight controls, potentially causing pilots to lose control. The issue has already led to injuries and an emergency landing last month.
Airbus identified the problem following an incident on October 30, 2025, when JetBlue Flight 1230, an A320 flying from Cancun, Mexico, to Newark, New Jersey, suddenly dropped in altitude. The aircraft made an emergency landing in Tampa, Florida, with around 15 passengers treated for minor injuries.
The manufacturer said in a statement that “analysis of a recent event involving an A320 Family aircraft has revealed that intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls.” Airbus added that safety remained its “number one and overriding priority.”
The A320 family, which includes the A319, A320, and A321 models, features fly-by-wire systems, meaning pilot commands are transmitted electronically to control surfaces. Approximately 6,000 planes worldwide require the software fix, which can be completed in about two hours by reverting to previous software versions. For around 900 older aircraft, more extensive hardware updates are required.
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Airlines report limited disruption so far despite the busy Thanksgiving travel period. American Airlines had completed updates on all but four of its 209 affected planes by Saturday November 29, 2025, while Delta Air Lines said fewer than 50 A321neos were impacted. United Airlines noted only minor disruption on six aircraft, and JetBlue confirmed repairs were underway for its fleet without specifying numbers.
In the Asia-Pacific region, Jetstar Airways, Air New Zealand, IndiGo, and Air India Express have also taken precautionary measures. Jetstar reported that 34 of its 85 A320s were affected, leading to roughly 90 flight cancellations through Sunday.
European carriers including Lufthansa, British Airways, EasyJet, Wizz Air, and Aer Lingus confirmed some aircraft were impacted but emphasized minimal operational effect.
Even the papal plane, “Shepherd One,” was affected, though the Vatican confirmed updates were completed Saturday, ensuring Pope Leo’s upcoming trip to Turkey and Lebanon could proceed as scheduled.
The European Union’s Aviation Safety Agency has mandated that airlines complete the repairs before affected aircraft can carry passengers. Airbus stressed that while the issue has occurred only once, proactive measures are necessary to protect passengers from potential solar storm interference with electronic flight systems.
