Airbus makes progress in resolving software crisis after A320 recall

Airbus fleets were returning towards normal operations on Dec 1 after the European planemaker pushed through abrupt software changes faster than originally expected, as it wrestled with safety headlines long focused on rival Boeing.

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Dozens of airlines from Asia to the United States said they had carried out a snap software retrofit ordered by Airbus, and mandated by global regulators, after a vulnerability to solar flares emerged in a recent midair incident on a JetBlue A320.

But some require a longer process and Colombia's Avianca continued to halt bookings for dates until Dec 8.

Sources familiar with the matter said the unprecedented decision to recall about half the A320-family fleet, or 6,000 jets, was taken shortly after the possible but unproven link to a drop in altitude on the JetBlue jet emerged late last week.

Following talks with regulators, Airbus issued its eight-page alert to hundreds of operators on Nov 28, effectively ordering a temporary grounding by ordering the repair before next flight.