Airbus has announced an urgent recall affecting approximately 6,000 A320-family aircraft worldwide following a serious flight-control malfunction linked to corrupted data, the company confirmed earlier this afternoon (Friday 28 November 2025). The recall covers more than half of all A320-family jets in service and comes after an incident last month in which a JetBlue flight experienced an unexpected loss of altitude and diverted for an emergency landing.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency is preparing an Emergency Airworthiness Directive that will mandate inspections and software updates before affected aircraft can return to service.
Flight-Control Failure Triggers Global Response
The recall stems from an October 30 incident involving a JetBlue flight en route from Cancun to Newark. The aircraft abruptly descended due to corrupted flight-control data believed to have been caused by intense solar radiation exposure. Several passengers were hospitalized after the emergency landing in Tampa.
Airbus said the issue, while rare, could potentially affect any A320-family jet operating under certain environmental conditions. The manufacturer emphasized that correcting the vulnerability requires immediate action across the global fleet.
In a statement, the manufacturer said:
“Analysis of a recent event involving an A320 Family aircraft has revealed that intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls. Airbus has consequently identified a significant number of A320 Family aircraft currently in-service which may be impacted.”
Software Rollbacks and Hardware Fixes Expected
Airbus has instructed operators to install updated software without delay. Roughly two-thirds of affected aircraft will need only a rapid software rollback, allowing them to return to service quickly. However, hundreds of jets will require hardware modifications, a process that could ground them for weeks.
The company warned that the recall will likely cause schedule disruptions for airlines and passengers but reiterated that safety remains its top priority.
Airlines operating the A319, A320 and A321 models are already coordinating with regulators to determine when grounded aircraft can safely re-enter service.
We will continue to bring you updates as this story develops.
