Airbus A320 recall: Global airlines rush to fix jet software, UAE flights resume normally

Qatar Airways has successfully applied the necessary fix to its Airbus A320 fleet, with minimal disruption to scheduled flights. The airline emphasised that passenger and crew safety remains its top priority.

Full compliance with Airbus's global safety directive has been confirmed by the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) for more than 100 A319, A320, and A321 aircraft, the country's civil aviation regulator confirmed on Sunday.

Operators including Etihad Airways and Air Arabia completed required inspections and updates swiftly, allowing normal operations to resume. "All required measures had been fully implemented in accordance with the directive," the GCAA said in a statement.

Air Arabia has confirmed that it has successfully carried out the software and technical updates mandated by Airbus for the A320 aircraft type, completing the process across all affected aircraft in its fleet.

The airline said the installation was finalised quickly and with minimal disruption, despite the update coinciding with one of the busiest travel periods of the year. It credited its operational teams for ensuring the process was completed efficiently.

Air Arabia thanked passengers for their understanding during the brief adjustments and confirmed that its flight schedule is now being restored to normal operations.

Flynas has announced that it has completed all required updates on the 20 aircraft in its A320 fleet that fell under the latest technical procedure. The airline said the work was carried out in record time, with no impact on its operations.

According to Flynas, all flights ran as scheduled throughout the update process, with no delays or disruptions. The carrier said the smooth rollout reflected strong coordination and high operational efficiency.

Flynas thanked its passengers for their patience and trust, and praised its engineering and operations teams for working round the clock. The airline said their efforts ensured top safety standards while maintaining passenger comfort and a seamless travel experience.

India’s IndiGo has announced that all 200 aircraft in its A320-family fleet are now fully updated with the mandatory Airbus system enhancement. The airline confirmed the completion of the upgrade in a post on X, noting that every aircraft is now compliant with the latest approved configuration.

The programme required a coordinated effort between engineering and operations teams, who carried out the system updates while keeping the network stable. IndiGo said the work was completed with minimal disruption to passengers and without any flight cancellations.

With the updates finished, the airline said it continues to monitor aircraft performance as part of its routine safety checks. IndiGo thanked passengers for their support and said it remains focused on delivering safe, dependable and hassle-free travel across its network.

Air India has completed software resets on more than 90% of its A320 family aircraft, following a requirement issued by Airbus and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The airline said the remaining aircraft will be updated within the timeline set by the regulator, stressing that safety remains its “top priority”.

In a statement on X, the airline said its engineering and ground teams worked through the night to keep operations stable.

“Rising to the occasion, our engineering and ground colleagues worked round the clock to ensure there were no cancellations and that the impact on our schedule integrity across the network was minimal,” the airline said.

Air India thanked passengers for their patience and urged those travelling in the coming days to check the latest updates before leaving for the airport.

Air India Express said it had completed safety checks on most of its Airbus A320 fleet, with the remaining checks to be completed soon.

The airline worked with Airbus and authorities to minimise disruptions, prioritising passenger safety. Operations are expected to return to normal once the checks are complete.

In a statement, an Air India Express Spokesperson said, "We have completed the precautionary safety actions on the majority of our Airbus A320 fleet, with the remaining aircraft on track for completion within the advised timeline. This has been achieved with minimal impact on operations through the coordinated efforts of our engineering, operations, and flight safety teams. Air India Express continues to work closely with Airbus and the relevant authorities, reaffirming our commitment to safe and reliable operations."

Fears of widespread travel disruption eased on Saturday after Airbus moved quickly to roll out a software upgrade for around 6,000 of its A320 aircraft.

French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot told BFMTV that Airbus had already fixed the issue on “more than 5,000 aircraft” between Friday and early Saturday. He said the number of planes needing longer servicing now appeared far lower than first expected.

“Based on the latest information I have, it seems far fewer A320s will face extended downtime for the software update,” he said.

“We initially mentioned the possibility of around a thousand aircraft. It now looks closer to a hundred.”

Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury apologised for the disruption caused by the software fix, acknowledging the “significant logistical challenges and delays”. He said teams were working around the clock to help airlines install the update quickly and safely, adding that Airbus aimed to return aircraft to normal operations as soon as possible while maintaining the highest safety standards.

Pope Leo XIV is on his inaugural foreign trip, to Turkey and Lebanon, and is flying along with the papal delegation and press corps aboard an ITA Airways Airbus A320neo charter.

The Vatican spokesman, Matteo Bruni, said that ITA was working on the issue. He said the necessary component to update the aircraft was on its way to Istanbul along with the technician to install it. Leo was scheduled to fly from Istanbul, Turkey to Beirut, Lebanon on Sunday afternoon.

The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) said that all national airlines operating Airbus A320 aircraft have begun carrying out the required safety inspections, following an emergency airworthiness directive issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for A320 fleets worldwide.

The authority said it is working closely with EASA and the concerned airlines to ensure full compliance with the inspections and maintenance procedures outlined in the directive.

It stressed that the aim is to ensure the continued safe operation of all aircraft and to prevent any disruption to flight schedules within the country.

Gulf Air, the national carrier of Bahrain, has confirmed that its A320 operations are back to normal following the completion of the mandatory Airbus-directed software update.

The airline promptly carried out the required work after Airbus issued a global alert advising operators to implement the update before their next scheduled flights.

The update has been successfully applied across Gulf Air’s A320 fleet, alongside all mandated checks, in full compliance with the latest A320 Alert Operations guidelines.

Gulf Air assures passengers that all safety requirements have been met, and its A320 services are now operating normally.

• France: Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot said software updates have stabilised operations, with an “almost complete return to normal” at French airports.

• UK: Minimal disruption. British Airways required updates on only three aircraft; EasyJet warned of possible schedule changes with passenger notification.

• Germany: Lufthansa completed most updates overnight and Saturday morning. Minor delays expected, but no cancellations.

• Scandinavia: SAS reported normal operations Saturday after overnight updates.

In the US, the software fix coincided with the Thanksgiving travel period, the country’s busiest.

• American Airlines: About 480 A320-family planes, 209 affected. Updates expected to take around two hours per aircraft; most updates completed Friday, with a few finishing Saturday. Some delays expected, but cancellations minimised.

• Delta: Fewer than 50 A321neo aircraft affected.

• United Airlines: Six aircraft affected; only minor disruptions anticipated.

• Hawaiian Airlines: Unaffected.

AirAsia is implementing an urgent Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by EASA, requiring a software rollback on selected Airbus A320 Family aircraft, starting today. The airline’s A330 fleet is not affected.

Flight operations may be adjusted over the next 48 hours, and affected passengers will be notified directly. Guests are encouraged to check the latest updates via the AirAsia MOVE app, the AskBo chatbot, or their registered email.

Bo Lingam, Group CEO of AirAsia Aviation Group, said the airline is working around the clock to comply with the directive, prioritising passenger safety and aiming to minimise disruptions. Media reports indicate that around 6,000 aircraft globally could be affected by the software issue.

Cebu Pacific (CEB) informs passengers that certain A320/A321 aircraft require a mandatory software upgrade following a global Airbus notice. As a result, select domestic and international flights on November 29, 2025 are cancelled.

Affected passengers can choose from flexible options via the Manage Booking portal:

• Free rebooking – travel up to 30 days from original date

• Travel Fund – store your fare in a CEB wallet for future us

• Full refund

Flights from Nov 29 to Dec 1, 2025 may also be rescheduled with these options. Passengers are advised to check flight status before heading to the airport: CEB Flight Status

CEB assures that passenger safety remains the top priority, and further updates will be provided as the situation evolves

Airlines around the world faced delays and cancellations on Saturday following an Airbus warning that up to 6,000 A320 aircraft may need urgent upgrades. The alert came after a technical malfunction on a JetBlue flight in October, prompting Airbus to advise clients to take “immediate precautionary action.”

American Airlines said it had begun updating software and expected most of its roughly 340 affected planes to be serviced by Saturday, though some delays were anticipated. United Airlines, initially unaffected, later identified six aircraft requiring updates, with minor disruptions expected.

In the Philippines, Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific grounded at least 40 domestic flights, offering refunds or rebookings. Delta Air Lines said it expected all necessary updates completed by Saturday morning, while Air India warned of delays and Avianca forecasted “significant disruptions over the next 10 days.”

Air travel across India and several countries faces potential disruption this weekend after global aviation regulators ordered immediate software updates for the Airbus A320 family of aircraft. Concerns have arisen that solar radiation could affect critical flight control systems. Aviation experts have termed the situation a “major air crisis,” citing risks for safety, tourism, and business travel.

Aviation expert Subhash Goyal said the issue is significant worldwide and domestically. “There are over 6,000 Airbus A320 aircraft globally that could be affected, with around 250 in India. Software updates take 2–3 hours for newer models, but older jets may require 1–2 days,” he noted.

The technical problem emerged after a mid-air pitch-down incident on a JetBlue Airbus A320. The Elevator Aileron Computer (ELAC), a critical part of the flight control system, can be affected by excessive solar radiation during system switching, potentially compromising aircraft stability.

IndiGo has shared an update on social media reassuring passengers about its ongoing Airbus A320 safety updates.

The airline said its engineering teams have already completed the mandatory Airbus safety update on 160 of the 200 affected A320-family aircraft, keeping the fleet safe, reliable, and ready for travel.

Thanks to the teams’ round-the-clock efforts, IndiGo has maintained minimal delays and zero cancellations, ensuring passengers’ travel plans remain largely unaffected.

The remaining aircraft are set to be fully compliant well within the required timelines. The airline reaffirmed its commitment to passenger safety and convenience throughout the process.

Passengers are encouraged to check flight status via IndiGo’s website or mobile app for the latest updates.

Air Arabia has confirmed it is carrying out mandatory software and technical updates on affected Airbus A320 aircraft, following a global directive from the manufacturer.

The airline said all required updates across its impacted fleet are expected to be completed by the end of the day. Air Arabia added that its teams are working to minimise any disruption for passengers during the process.

“We regret any inconvenience this may have caused and reaffirm that safety remains our top priority,” the airline stated.

Etihad Airways has confirmed that its A320 operations have returned to the normal flight schedule following the successful installation of a mandatory Airbus software update. The airline said the work was completed with minimal disruption during one of the busiest travel weekends at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport.

“Etihad Airways flights have returned to normal scheduled operations following the successful installation of the required Airbus software update across our A320 fleet,” the airline said in a statement to Gulf News.

“Thanks to the exceptional efforts of our operational and technical teams, the update was completed quickly and with minimal disruption—despite this being one of the busiest travel periods at Zayed International Airport ahead of the long weekend.”

The carrier added, “We appreciate the professionalism of our teams across the network and thank our guests for their patience and understanding. Safety remains Etihad’s highest priority, and we are pleased to have restored regular services swiftly.”

Air Arabia has confirmed it is carrying out mandatory software and technical updates on affected Airbus A320 aircraft, following a global directive from the manufacturer.

In a statement shared on its social media channels, the airline said it has received the Airbus advisory requiring a number of A320 aircraft worldwide to undergo specific updates.

The carrier has already begun implementing the required measures across its impacted fleet and expects to complete all updates by the end of the day. Air Arabia stressed that its teams are working to minimise any disruption for passengers during the process.

“We regret any inconvenience this may have caused and reaffirm that safety remains our top priority,” the airline added.

Air India has confirmed that there have been no flight cancellations following mandatory software and hardware realignments on its A320 family aircraft, as directed by EASA and Airbus. The airline said its engineers have been working round-the-clock and have already completed updates on over 40% of affected aircraft, with the full fleet expected to be updated within the prescribed timeline.

While there is no major impact on schedule integrity across the network, some flights may experience minor delays or rescheduling. Ground staff are available to assist passengers.

Passengers are advised to check the latest flight status or contact the airline at 011-69329333 / 011-69329999 before travelling to the airport.

All Nippon Airways Co. (ANA), Japan’s largest airline, has canceled 65 domestic flights due to a software problem affecting thousands of Airbus SE aircraft worldwide. ANA reported that 34 of its A320 jets require a software update, affecting roughly 9,400 passengers at Haneda Airport in Tokyo, as well as those traveling to Tottori, Saga, and other prefectures.

Other carriers unaffected

Japan Airlines Co., the country’s other major airline, said its fleet was not impacted, according to Kyodo News. Airbus confirmed that intense solar radiation could corrupt data critical to flight control systems, prompting urgent software and hardware updates across its A320 family.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued an airworthiness directive banning the operation of multiple Airbus A320 family aircraft models following safety concerns linked to a company-issued software update.

"No person shall operate any aircraft that falls under the applicability of this mandatory modification except those complying with the requirements of the Mandatory Modification(s) / Airworthiness Directive(s)," said Assistant Director (Airworthiness) Nishikant Sharma in the official order.

Aircraft models affected

The directive applies to multiple Airbus models, including:

• A319 variants: 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 131, 132, 133, 151N, 153N, 171N, 173N

• A320 variants: 211, 212, 214, 215, 216, 231, 232, 233, 251N, 252N, 253N, 271N, 272N, 273N

• A321 variants: 211, 212, 213, 231, 232, 251N, 252N, 253N, 251NX, 252NX, 253NX, 271N, 272N, 271NX, 272NX

Flynas has received a directive from Airbus regarding A320 aircraft currently operating with multiple airlines worldwide. As a precaution, a software and technical recalibration will be carried out on part of the Flynas fleet. This may lead to longer turnaround times on a limited number of flights and some delays to the operating schedule.

Passengers whose flights may be affected will be contacted via SMS or email and can also monitor flight status on the airline’s website. Flynas emphasised that these measures are part of its ongoing commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety.

Approximately 80 aircraft at Gatwick Airport were affected, requiring careful logistical planning to park incoming flights. Heathrow reported no operational impact. Airlines are managing aircraft parking and overnight updates while minimising disruption to passengers.

IndiGo said it is “working closely with Airbus to ensure implementation as per the notification” and is making every effort to minimise disruptions during inspections.

Air India Express confirmed precautionary measures are underway. While most of its aircraft are unaffected, 31 A320-family planes will undergo the updates, potentially causing delays or cancellations.

Air India said some of its fleet will require software or hardware realignment, leading to longer turnarounds and schedule delays. The airline apologised for any inconvenience to passengers.

Domestic carriers operate roughly 560 A320-family aircraft, including A319s, A320 ceos and neos, and A321 ceos and neos. Around 200–250 jets will need either software updates or hardware realignment, which may require temporary grounding.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) directed airlines to install serviceable Elevator Aileron Computers (ELAC) before affected aircraft can resume normal flights. ELAC is a key flight-control system, and modifications are mandatory to ensure safety.

IndiGo, Air India, and Air India Express are set to face operational disruption as they address a potential flight-control issue in their A320-family aircraft. Sources say around 200–250 planes in India will be impacted.

Airbus issued an alert on Friday, warning that intense solar radiation could corrupt data critical to flight controls on many A320 jets, and that required software changes may lead to service disruptions.

Saudia has confirmed it is reviewing required updates to its Airbus A320-family aircraft after the manufacturer issued a global safety directive — a sweeping recall affecting more than half of the world’s A320 fleet.

In a statement, the airline said it is “assessing any potential impact on flight schedules” and will contact affected guests directly if changes are needed. Travellers are urged to keep their contact details updated and monitor notifications for real-time updates.

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.

Major carriers reporting operational impacts include:

• American Airlines: 340 A320-family planes affected; updates expected mostly by Saturday, with some delays anticipated.

• Delta Airlines: Fewer than 50 A321neo aircraft impacted; limited disruption expected.

• United Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines: Not affected.

• Air France: Cancelled 35 flights on Friday; further cancellations under review.

• Avianca: Around 70% of fleet impacted; warns of significant disruption over the next 10 days.

• Saudia: Reviewing updates for its A320 fleet; contacting affected passengers and urging travellers to monitor notifications.

• IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express: 200–250 A320-family jets in India affected, causing longer turnarounds and potential delays or cancellations.

• Flynas: Carrying out software and technical recalibration on part of its fleet, resulting in longer turnaround times for a limited number of flights. Passengers will be contacted via SMS or email and can monitor flight status online.

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.

• Delays or cancellations are possible while affected aircraft undergo updates.

• No accidents have been directly linked to the solar-radiation issue; the alert is precautionary.

• Passengers should check with airlines for updates and monitor notifications for schedule changes.

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.

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.

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.

 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.