Airbus has successfully averted widespread travel disruption after fixing the vast majority of jets affected by a critical software glitch, in what marks the largest recall in the European manufacturer's 55-year history.
Weekend Grounding of Global Fleet
The crisis unfolded over the weekend when Airbus ordered immediate repairs for approximately 6,000 of its A320 family aircraft, representing more than half of its global fleet. Airlines worldwide were forced to cancel and delay flights following the urgent directive.
The French planemaker issued an alert on Friday, stating that analysis of a recent incident indicated that intense solar radiation could corrupt data vital to flight control systems. This technical fault prompted the unprecedented safety action.
Swift Resolution Amid Busy Travel Period
By Monday, Airbus confirmed that the "vast majority" of the required fixes were complete. The company apologised for the challenges and delays caused to passengers and airlines.
According to a statement, fewer than 100 aircraft now require the software update before returning to service. However, analysts at Deutsche Bank estimate that up to 15% of the planes, roughly 900 older aircraft, may still need a hardware upgrade. This process could take several weeks due to limited part supplies.
The recall coincided with the busy Thanksgiving travel weekend in the United States, exposing major carriers like Delta, United, and American Airlines to potential operational headaches.
Impact on Airlines and Market Reaction
For most affected A320s, the fix involved reinstalling an older software version, a process taking two to three hours per plane. UK-based airlines easyJet and Wizz Air informed investors they completed updates over the weekend without cancelling flights.
JetBlue, the American low-cost carrier, stated it expected to return 137 of its 150 affected aircraft to service by Monday, cancelling around 20 flights.
Heidi Alexander, the UK Transport Secretary, noted over the weekend that the impact on UK airlines appeared limited, praising the swift identification and resolution of the issue as a demonstration of high global aviation safety standards.
The incident comes just weeks after the Airbus A320 surpassed its rival, the Boeing 737, as the world's most-delivered jet. Shares in Airbus, listed in Paris, have fallen by about 5% over the past five days, though they remain up roughly 18% for the year. The Toulouse-headquartered company employs around 157,000 people globally.
