Local airlines are swiftly taking action after Airbus issued an urgent technical advisory involving the Airbus A320 Family aircraft, following findings that intense solar radiation could corrupt data essential to flight control systems. The discovery prompted Airbus to identify a significant number of in-service A320 and A321 aircraft worldwide as potentially affected, leading to immediate precautionary requirements from aviation regulators.
Airbus worked with international aviation authorities to release an Alert Operators Transmission (AOT) outlining necessary software and hardware safeguards. This will be followed by an Emergency Airworthiness Directive (EAD) from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), compelling airlines across the globe to carry out software rollbacks or upgrades to ensure safety. While Airbus acknowledged that these directives would result in operational disruptions, the manufacturer emphasized that safety remains the top priority and that it will coordinate closely with operators throughout the process.
In the Philippines, all major carriers operating affected aircraft have begun implementing the required corrective actions and rolling out passenger support measures as flight delays and cancellations mount.
AirAsia Philippines was among the first local airlines to confirm full compliance with the EASA Airworthiness Directive, which mandates a software rollback for its Airbus A320 fleet. The carrier stated that it is taking all necessary steps to complete the process as quickly as possible. AirAsia also warned travelers to expect schedule adjustments as some aircraft undergo the required procedures. Engineering teams have been deployed to accelerate implementation, while customer assistance teams handle disruptions and provide support to affected passengers. The airline stressed that ensuring the continued safety of flights remains its highest priority.
Cebu Pacific, the country’s largest carrier by fleet size, also issued multiple advisories as it works to carry out the mandatory software update across its A320 and A321 aircraft. The airline announced that operations and engineering teams are working around the clock to perform the updates. To help manage the impact, Cebu Pacific has added more airport personnel to assist travelers and is offering free rebooking and Travel Fund conversion for passengers scheduled to fly from 29 November 2025 to 01 December 2025. As of early morning on 29 November 2025, the airline confirmed the cancellation of 31 flights directly linked to the Airbus software directive. Cebu Pacific continues to encourage passengers with upcoming flights to check the flight status page before heading to the airport, as adjustments may continue throughout the day.
Philippine Airlines (PAL) also reported disruptions, with 09 flights canceled after receiving the technical advisory affecting select A320 and A321 models in its fleet. PAL advised passengers to closely monitor their email and mobile notifications for rebooking instructions, updates, or further announcements as the situation evolves.
With all three major Philippine carriers implementing emergency compliance measures, passengers are urged to plan ahead, monitor airline advisories, and expect potential adjustments over the next several days. While the ongoing software interventions may temporarily disrupt operations, local airlines emphasize that these steps are crucial to ensuring continued passenger safety amid the global Airbus directive.