Airbus warns that solar radiation could harm key data on popular A320 aircraft

One of the world’s largest airplane makers said Friday that intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to flight controls on a “significant number” of its most popular aircraft, prompting a swift response from several airlines

One of the world’s largest airplane makers said Friday that intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to flight controls on a “significant number” of its most popular aircraft, prompting a swift response from several airlines.

Airbus attributed the revelation to a recent analysis involving its A320 family of aircraft.

The company said it is working with aviation authorities to implement software or hardware fixes to ensure its fleet is safe to fly. Those fixes are expected to lead to operational disruptions for passengers, Airbus said in a statement.

Some airlines were scrambling after the announcement to address the issue.

In a statement, American Airlines described its response as “all hands on deck” and said that it began identifying and completing software updates on the hundreds of A320s that are part of its fleet and require the fix.