Which airlines have been most affected by the Airbus A320 grounding?
November 29, 2025
Airbus has ordered immediate software updates to over 6,000 A320 family aircraft. Intense solar radiation has been found to interfere with critical flight controls, posing a serious risk to flight safety. Pilots can lose control of the aircraft if solar radiation corrupts critical flight control data.
The A320’s Elevator and Aileron Computer (ELAC), which controls the elevator pitch angle, requires necessary upgrades before jets are safe to fly.
The issue came to light after a JetBlue A320 flying from Mexico to the US experienced an unexpected drop in altitude in October.
With more than half of the global A320 fleet affected, major operators are grounding their A320 fleet to complete upgrades. While the system requires a quick two-hour upgrade, Reuters reported that it could be much longer for some airlines as their jets may also need a hardware replacement.
Airlines most affected by the emergency recall
Major US airlines, including American, Delta, and JetBlue, are experiencing a massive grounding during the busiest holiday travel season in the United States. Over 70% (340 aircraft) of American Airlines’ A320 fleet is affected by the change, requiring emergency grounding. Despite the large number, the airline aims to complete all necessary upgrades by Saturday.
The emergency recall affects a small number of Delta Air Lines’ A320 jets. The airline also aims to complete the updates by Saturday, ensuring minimal disruptions during the busy Thanksgiving weekend. The US Department of Transportation projected that nearly seven million people would travel by air over the weekend.
Colombian airline Avianca has 70% of its A320 fleet affected by the recall. The airline has proactively closed its ticket sales until December 8, allowing itself ample time to strategise and perform necessary repairs.
German flag carrier Lufthansa and UK-based EasyJet are briefly taking affected planes out of service to perform the upgrades. Airlines believe that the relatively quick repair time allows them to carry out necessary upgrades on most aircraft between scheduled flights or overnight.
CBS News reported that the manufacturer’s recall affects only a few aircraft in Air Canada’s A320 fleet. With minimal impact on the airline’s operations, Air Canada does not expect much disruption.
Air France and Air New Zealand warned of several flight cancellations due to the recall. BBC reports that Air New Zealand reiterated that its A320 fleet was safe to operate and that the software update was precautionary.
Asian carriers operate some of the largest A320 fleets
India’s largest airline, IndiGo, operates a fleet of over 300 Airbus A320 aircraft. While not all aircraft are affected, the airline has warned of a major impact on its operations.
Financial Express reports that the airline is working closely with Airbus to carry out necessary inspections and upgrades before the affected fleet is operational. The airline expects delays, longer turnaround times, and cancellations amid changes to flight control software.
Major Chinese carriers, including China Eastern, China Southern, and Air China, are among the largest operators of the A320 family aircraft. While the extent of the impact on the Chinese fleet is unknown, the combined fleet represents a significant portion of domestic operations in and around mainland China.
Featured Image: Tomás Del Coro / Wikimedia Commons
