- The papal plane, an ITA Airways A320neo, was among approximately 900 Airbus A320 aircraft that required a physical computer replacement due to a widespread computer issue affecting around 6,000 Airbus planes globally, a problem attributed to the potential interference of intense solar radiation with onboard flight control systems.
- The critical replacement was completed on Saturday in Istanbul, ahead of Pope Leo XIV’s scheduled two-hour flight from Istanbul to Beirut on November 30 for the second leg of his apostolic journey to Turkey and Lebanon.
- A technician, accompanied by the necessary replacement computer, traveled from Rome to Istanbul specifically to address the issue on the pontiff’s aircraft, ensuring its readiness for the upcoming flight.
- Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, confirmed to local media that the necessary work on the airplane had been successfully concluded, alleviating concerns about the Pope’s travel plans.
- While the majority of the 6,000 affected Airbus A320s could be remedied with a software update, the papal plane and roughly 900 others necessitated a more involved solution, highlighting the severity of the identified computer vulnerability.
Airbus computer issue affects papal plane during trip to Turkey
