Flights Returning to Normal After Airbus Warning Grounded Planes

Thousands of Airbus planes are returning to normal service after being briefly grounded following a warning that solar radiation could interfere with onboard computers, Hafsa Khalil reported for BBC News.

Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury apologized for what he called “logistical challenges and delays.” (Photo: Nemausensis Asinus Wikimedia Commons) 

The aerospace giant, based in France, said about 6,000 of its A320 planes had been affected, with most requiring a quick software update. About 900 older planes need a replacement computer.

On Saturday, French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot said the updates “went very smoothly” for more than 5,000 planes, and fewer than 100 still needed the update.

Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury apologized for what he called “logistical challenges and delays.” He said teams were working to ensure that updates are completed “as swiftly as possible.”

On Saturday morning, several Air France flights in and out of Paris's Charles de Gaulle Airport were delayed or cancelled.

American Airlines said it expected “operational delays” but added that the vast majority of updates would be carried out by Saturday.

Delta Air Lines said it believed the impact on its operations would be limited.