Global Airlines Face Widespread Disruptions from Urgent Airbus A320 Software

November 29, 2025 at 12:00 AM•2 min read•straitstimes.com

Global airlines are experiencing flight delays and cancellations due to an urgent Airbus A320 software recall requiring immediate updates to avoid...

Key Points

1Airbus issued an urgent A320 software recall on November 28, mandating updates before aircraft can fly again.
2American Airlines, the largest A320 operator, has 340 aircraft affected, expecting updates by November 29, each taking about two hours.
3Avianca anticipates significant operational disruptions for 10 days, affecting over 70% of its fleet and closing ticket sales through December 8.
4Air France cancelled 35 flights on November 28, while other carriers like Air New Zealand, IndiGo, and Viva Aerobus also reported delays and cancellations.

Global commercial aviation is facing significant operational challenges following an urgent software recall issued by Europe's Airbus on November 28 for its A320 family aircraft. The directive mandates reverting to earlier software versions before affected planes can resume service, a measure communicated via a bulletin to airlines. This critical update is causing widespread flight delays and cancellations across numerous carriers worldwide.

Major operators like American Airlines, the world's largest A320 operator, reported approximately 340 of its 480 A320 aircraft require the fix, with most updates expected by November 29, each taking about two hours. Colombian carrier Avianca faces substantial disruptions, with over 70 percent of its fleet affected, leading to operational challenges for the next 10 days and a halt in ticket sales through December 8. Air France cancelled 35 flights on November 28 as a direct consequence of the recall.

Other airlines are also grappling with the fallout. Air New Zealand's entire A320neo fleet requires updates, disrupting flights on November 29. IndiGo and Viva Aerobus anticipate longer turnaround times, delays, and cancellations. While some carriers like British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair, Delta Airlines, and Turkish Airlines expect limited or no significant operational impact, the global nature of the recall underscores the interconnectedness of the aviation ecosystem. Notably, United Airlines and Azul SA confirmed their A320 fleets were not impacted by this particular directive.

The swift implementation of these software changes is paramount for maintaining airworthiness and passenger safety. Airlines are actively working to comply with the mandate, balancing the necessity of the updates with efforts to minimize inconvenience for travelers. The situation highlights the critical role of software integrity in modern aircraft operations and the immediate ripple effects across global flight schedules when such issues arise.