UPDATE: Jetstar flights are resuming operations after a significant disruption that grounded dozens of planes due to a critical global software issue. Passengers are advised to brace for delays and potential cancellations as the airline works to recover from the impact of this anomaly.
On Saturday, 90 Jetstar flights were canceled across Australia, affecting thousands of travelers. The issue involved 34 of 85 A320 aircraft, which engineers are now racing to fix. A Jetstar spokeswoman confirmed that all affected aircraft are expected to be ready for service overnight, with flights set to resume as planned on Sunday. However, she cautioned that there may be lingering delays or cancellations as the airline’s network fully recovers.
Jetstar’s head of flying operations, Tyrone Simes, revealed that engineering teams have been deployed to airports, particularly on the east coast, to reverse a problematic software upgrade on the affected planes. Repairs are taking between two to three hours for each aircraft, with a completion expected by Saturday evening, though minor disruptions may persist into Sunday.
The alarm was raised after Airbus issued an urgent alert to operators of a significant number of A320 planes globally. The company warned that “intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls.” This issue gained attention after a JetBlue flight in the U.S. made an emergency landing due to an unexpected drop in altitude on October 30. Over 6,000 aircraft worldwide were impacted, representing more than half of Airbus’s A320 family fleet.
Australia’s aviation safety regulator is closely monitoring the situation, maintaining communication with major airlines to ensure swift action to minimize disruptions. A spokesman stated, “We are confident they are acting quickly to minimize disruptions and ensure aircraft can be returned to service safely.”
At Melbourne Airport, chief of aviation Jim Parashos has been in contact with many frustrated travelers, especially those planning trips to Byron Bay or the Gold Coast. “We appreciate their frustration, but they’ve been very understanding,” he noted.
Jetstar has assured customers that they will be contacted regarding any further disruptions. Notably, major competitors like Qantas and Virgin Airlines remain unaffected by this software crisis.
As recovery efforts continue, passengers are urged to check their flight statuses frequently for the latest updates. Jetstar is committed to keeping travelers informed and minimizing the impact of this urgent situation.
