Airbus A320 software glitch could affect 6,000 jets
A software glitch in Airbus A320 family aircraft, triggered by intense solar radiation corrupting flight control data, requires urgent fixes on about 6,000 jets worldwide.
Incident Background
The issue surfaced after a JetBlue A320 flight from Cancun to Newark on October 30, 2025, experienced an unexpected downward pitch due to an ELAC (Elevator Aileron Computer) switch change amid solar activity, leading to passenger injuries and a diversion to Tampa. Airbus issued an Alert Operators Transmission (AOT), prompting the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to release an emergency airworthiness directive for immediate software or hardware upgrades before next flights.
Affected Fleet and Fixes
Approximately 5,000-5,100 newer A320 family planes (including A318, A319, A321 variants) need a quick software update taking about 30 minutes to 2 hours per aircraft. Around 900-1,000 older models require additional hardware changes, extending grounding time. Not all A320s are impacted, but major operators like American Airlines (300+ planes), IndiGo (350), and Air India (100+) face disruptions.
Airline Responses
American Airlines grounded over 300 aircraft temporarily, aiming to complete most updates by November 29-30, 2025. IndiGo paused operations on affected planes until early November, while Air India anticipates delays from realignments. Delta reports minimal impact on its fleet. These measures coincide with peak U.S. Thanksgiving travel, potentially causing schedule issues, though safety remains paramount.
