Jetstar has resumed its flight operations across Australia following a global software issue that grounded numerous Airbus A320 aircraft. The disruption, which affected 34 aircraft from a fleet of 86, caused widespread delays and cancellations, particularly on Saturday, impacting thousands of travelers.
The airline indicated that engineers had completed reversing the software upgrade on affected aircraft, a process that previously took up to three hours per plane. By Sunday, all but six of the impacted aircraft had been fixed, and the fleet's operations have largely normalized. Qantas and Virgin Australia, which also operate A320 aircraft, confirmed their services were not disrupted.
Operational Impact and Recovery
Jetstar's spokesperson noted the company was "progressively resolving" the issue and expected some flow-on delays or cancellations as the network fully recovers. Passengers affected by Saturday's cancellations were provided with vouchers for meals, transport, and overnight accommodation.
Regional airports like Newcastle and Ballina-Byron experienced delays, while Adelaide Airport reported two flight cancellations. Meanwhile, major airports such as Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney had no reported impacts on Sunday, indicating a return to normalcy.
The airline advised that further delays might occur temporarily but was working to restore full operational capacity. The incident highlights ongoing challenges with software updates in modern aircraft and the importance of thorough testing to prevent widespread disruptions.
