URGENT UPDATE: A critical software glitch has grounded 90 Jetstar flights, causing significant travel disruptions across Australia. Thousands of stranded passengers, including schoolies heading for holiday destinations, are facing lengthy delays as authorities scramble to resolve the issue.
The chaos erupted earlier today, with major airports in Melbourne and Sydney inundated with long queues and frustrated travelers. Passengers took to social media to share their experiences as they waited for updates from the airline. Jetstar’s Head of Flying Operations, Tyrone Simes, confirmed that 34 out of 85 A320 aircraft were identified with the software anomaly.
Engineering teams are currently mobilized at airports on the east coast, working diligently to reverse a software upgrade on the affected planes. Each aircraft repair is expected to take between two to three hours, with the airline aiming to resolve the majority of issues by the end of today.
In a press briefing at Melbourne Airport, Simes stated,
“We’re hoping to get it all done today and expecting the potential for some minor disruption tomorrow.”
Meanwhile, Airbus has mandated immediate precautionary measures for a significant number of A320 aircraft globally. The warning follows a serious incident on October 30, when a JetBlue flight was forced to make an emergency landing due to similar flight control problems.
Jetstar has assured affected customers that they will be contacted with options, including refunds. The airline urges travelers to check their flight status before heading to the airport, as the situation remains fluid.
Melbourne Airport’s Chief of Aviation, Jim Parashos, highlighted the widespread impact of the glitch, noting that over 6000 Airbus aircraft are affected worldwide. He empathized with travelers, saying, “Being a weekend, schoolies, I’ve spoken to a lot of travellers that are heading up to Byron and Gold Coast. We appreciate their frustration, but they’ve been very understanding.”
As the situation develops, Sydney Airport has confirmed that all other airlines are operating normally and are not affected by this incident. Authorities continue to work closely with Jetstar to ensure that passengers can resume their travels as soon as possible.
Travelers are urged to stay updated through official channels as Jetstar navigates this urgent crisis. The airline’s swift response and communication will be crucial in mitigating the impact on thousands of affected passengers.
