JetBlue Plunge ✈️: Global Aviation Shutdown?! 🌍

World News

Following the discovery of interference from solar radiation impacting onboard flight control computers, approximately 6,000 Airbus A320 aircraft globally have been grounded. The issue, affecting roughly half of Airbus’s fleet, was initially identified after an incident in October involving a JetBlue Airways flight between the US and Mexico. During the flight, the aircraft unexpectedly lost altitude, resulting in an emergency landing in Florida with at least 15 injuries. The software malfunction occurs due to intense solar radiation corrupting elevation calculations in “fly by wire” aircraft. Airbus initiated a quick software update to address the problem. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued an emergency airworthiness directive. Affected airlines, including Air France (with 50 flights cancelled), are undertaking updates. Aircraft will initially conduct “ferry flights” without passengers to reach maintenance facilities before resuming passenger operations. The disruption has caused operational delays worldwide.