Airbus A320 recall: Global flight disruption warning as 6,000 jets grounded

Airlines around the world are warning of potential flight delays and cancellations after Airbus issued an urgent directive affecting its A320 family aircraft.

Up to 6,000 jets may require software or hardware updates following a potential flight-control issue linked to intense solar radiation.

The disruption comes as US travellers return from the Thanksgiving holiday, with many carriers adjusting schedules to implement the required fixes.

The precautionary action follows a JetBlue A320 incident in October, when a plane travelling from Cancun, Mexico, to Newark, New Jersey, experienced a sudden drop in altitude.

The aircraft made an emergency landing in Tampa, Florida, and 15 passengers suffered minor injuries.

Investigations revealed that intense solar radiation could corrupt data in the Elevator Aileron Computer (ELAC), a key flight-control system. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Airbus mandated updates to affected aircraft to prevent similar incidents.

Major carriers reporting operational impacts include:

In the UK, Heathrow reported no major impact, while Gatwick anticipates disruptions for about 80 aircraft.

Air New Zealand warned of service interruptions across multiple flights, while Air Canada expects minimal disruption due to limited use of the affected software version.

Airbus describes the A320 as the “aircraft family of choice for airlines around the world.” These single-aisle jets operate globally and can fly up to 4,700 nautical miles (8,700 km), with seating for 120–244 passengers.

The A320 family includes the A319, A320 ceos and neos, and A321 ceos and neos. Many aircraft already operate with 50% sustainable aviation fuel, with Airbus targeting 100% use by 2030. Advanced turbofan engines deliver up to 20% fuel-burn reduction compared with earlier models.

The global recall affects roughly 6,000 aircraft. Most will receive a software update, typically taking about three hours. However, around 900 older planes require hardware replacement and cannot carry passengers until completed.

The repair primarily involves reverting aircraft systems to earlier software versions, while limited ferry flights to maintenance centres are permitted. Airlines worldwide are assessing operational impact, with delays expected across multiple regions.

Airbus and regulators emphasise that safety is paramount. EASA noted that uncorrected ELAC issues could, in rare cases, lead to uncommanded elevator movement, potentially exceeding structural limits. Airlines are working to complete updates as quickly as possible while minimising passenger inconvenience.