Airbus A320 software update completed by EasyJet, Wizz Air with no flight impact

European low-cost carriers easyJet and Wizz Air confirmed that their flight schedules operated without disruption over the weekend, despite an urgent software update required for a significant number of their Airbus A320 aircraft. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued a directive on Friday night for airlines to update an onboard computer as a "precautionary action" following concerns raised by manufacturer Airbus.

Airbus had earlier warned that "intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls," potentially leading to operational disruptions. This warning followed investigations into a recent incident, reportedly involving a JetBlue A320 flight on October 30 that experienced a computer glitch and a sudden altitude drop, necessitating an emergency landing in Florida. The A320 family is widely used globally for short-haul routes.

easyJet, which operates an all-Airbus fleet, stated that all necessary software updates on its affected A320 aircraft were completed over the weekend. The airline emphasized that its flying program ran normally and is expected to continue without interruption. Similarly, Wizz Air reported successfully updating 83 of its aircraft, confirming zero flight cancellations due to the mandatory maintenance. Both airlines highlighted their commitment to safety and the coordinated efforts of their engineering and operations teams.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) noted minimal impact in Britain, reassuring passengers who had initially been advised to expect "limited" travel disruption. Other major carriers, such as British Airways, also reported minimal impact, with only three of their aircraft requiring the update.