If you’re wondering why flights are being cancelled, here’s the reason. Airbus has instructed airlines to update software on thousands of A320 planes, including the A319, A320, and A321, after a rare glitch linked to solar storms.
The warning came after a JetBlue flight in the US dove and caused an emergency landing in October. Investigators found that strong solar radiation can mess with critical flight control data, increasing the risk of pilots losing control mid-air. Around 6,000 aircraft worldwide were affected, needing immediate software repairs.
In the Philippines, the impact was immediate. Around 14,000 passengers were affected as dozens of flights were cancelled or delayed. Local airlines grounded planes to carry out the fixes, with officials saying safety has to come first.
The Department of Transportation confirmed that 75 aircraft in the country need the update, and airlines are working to get them back in the air.
The update takes about two hours per plane, but airlines must file compliance reports before flights can resume. Authorities expect most of the work to be finished within days. Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for rebooking or refund options.
