Solar radiation and mid-flight failures: the unexpected warning that Airbus has just issued on its A320

Airbus has set off alarm bells in commercial aviation. The European manufacturer has issued an urgent warning to airlines around the world after detecting a potential failure in the flight control systems of the A320, its best-selling model. The cause, according to the company, could be related to the intense solar radiation, capable of “corrupting critical data for the operation of flight controls”, according to the alert issued this Friday.

The situation affects a very large number of aircraft and poses an immediate challenge for airlines in the middle of the peak flight season. Here’s a breakdown of what is known and how this warning impacts the industry.

Airbus admits solar radiation-related anomaly

The statement opens with a paragraph that has raised concerns in the industry: “Analysis of a recent event involving an A320 family aircraft has revealed that intense solar radiation could corrupt data critical to the operation of flight controls”.

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The manufacturer acknowledges having identified “a significant number” of aircraft that could be affected. It has not officially detailed figures, but industry sources estimate that some 6,000 A320s – including A319s, A320s, A321s and their neoversions –require inspection.

The incident that triggered the alert occurred on October 30, on a flight of the U.S. airline JetBlue, according to reports.

What exactly happened on the flight? EASA gives more details

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has provided the most specific description of the event: “An Airbus A320 recently experienced an uncontrolled and limited pitch descent. The autopilot remained active throughout the incident, with a brief and limited loss of altitude, and the remainder of the flight was uneventful.”

The analysis points to a failure in the ELAC – the Elevator and Aileron Computer – as possibly responsible for this unexpected reaction.

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EASA itself warns, “This condition, if not corrected, could result in, in the worst case, uncontrolled movement of the depth rudder that could exceed the structural capacity of the aircraft.”

The immediate instruction: install a new ELAC

To prevent any risk, Airbus has ordered an urgent fleet-wide intervention that includes the mandatory installation of a new ELAC, a ban on flying any faulty units and the implementation of additional protective measures for both software and hardware.

EASA has reinforced these indications by means of an Operator Alert Transmission (AOT) aimed at accelerating the process in all affected airlines. The manufacturer has also apologized for any operational disruptions resulting from these revisions, stressing that safety remains the number one priority.

A problem that comes at the worst time: high demand and low deliveries

The alert comes at a time when flight demand is soaring and both Airbus and Boeing are behind schedule in the manufacture and delivery of new aircraft. The massive A320 overhaul could cause operational disruptions, although the companies involved are trying to minimize its impact.

A320, a key player in global aviation

The A320 is one of the world’s most widely used aircraft, capable of carrying between 120 and 244 passengers, and has become the backbone of many low-cost airlines and short and medium-haul networks. Its most modern version, the A320neo, incorporates improvements in aerodynamics, fuel consumption and emissions, further consolidating its position in the global market. It is precisely the magnitude of its presence in international fleets that explains the concern generated by this safety warning.

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Iberia, Vueling, Volotea and other Spanish airlines are already performing

In Spain, several airlines operate dozens of A320 family aircraft: Iberia has 13, Iberia Express 14, Vueling more than 90 aircraft and Volotea flies 24 A320s and 20 A319s. The reaction has been immediate. Iberia confirms that it is already working “to make the necessary changes in a totally safe manner” and guarantees that its operation “will not be disrupted, there will be no cancellations or delays for this reason”.

European airlines using A320 aircraft include British Airways, Air France, Lufthansa, TAP, Aer Lingus, EasyJet, ITA and Lauda (the Ryanair Group subsidiary), while in the Americas hundreds of units are operated by companies such as LATAM, Avianca, American Airlines and Delta. All of them will have to implement the modifications specified by Airbus and EASA to ensure the safety of their fleets.