Airbus announced on 01 December 2025 that the vast majority of its in-service A320 Family aircraft — part of a sweeping global safety directive issued on 28 November 2025 — have now completed required modifications. Of the roughly 6,000 potentially impacted units identified by Airbus, fewer than 100 remain to be updated before reentering service.
The update follows a precautionary “Alert Operators Transmission” (AOT) triggered by an in-flight incident involving an A320 jet in October 2025. Airbus and aviation authorities determined that certain versions of the aircraft’s flight-control computer — the Elevator Aileron Computer (ELAC) with software standard L104 — may be vulnerable to data corruption under intense solar radiation, which could lead to uncommanded flight control inputs.
Under the directive, airlines were required to either revert to a previously validated software version (L103+) or replace affected ELAC hardware before carrying passengers again. For most aircraft, the software rollback takes only a few hours, enabling rapid restoration of service.
In its most recent statement, Airbus reiterated its commitment to safety as the overriding priority. The company apologized for any inconvenience or delays suffered by passengers and airlines and expressed gratitude to its customers, regulatory bodies, employees, and all stakeholders who supported the emergency measures.
Airbus emphasized it is working closely with airlines worldwide to complete the remaining upgrades, and expects the last affected aircraft to be returned to service soon.
The directive had immediate repercussions in the Philippines, where several major carriers operate A320-family jets for domestic and regional flights. To ease the inconvenience, local carriers offered rebooking, travel-fund conversion, or refunds, and provided waivers and flexible options.
The Department of Transportation (Philippines) (DOTr) confirmed that operations for affected Airbus flights resumed soon after the updates were completed. Over 93 local flights affected by the advisory ultimately returned to normal schedule.
DOTr Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez praised the airlines for working quickly to assist impacted passengers, and thanked them for cooperating to ensure passenger safety. He also said airlines provided stranded passengers with meals and refreshments while they waited.
What This Means for Travelers and Airlines
The rapid global response and near-completion of the upgrade program bring much-needed reassurance to airlines, passengers, and regulators alike. As the last few A320 Family jets undergo final modifications, airlines should soon restore their full route networks and scheduling flexibility.
For domestic passengers in the Philippines, the swift compliance by PAL, Cebu Pacific, and AirAsia — together with customer-friendly rebooking or refund options — helped soften the disruption. DOTr’s coordination and oversight underscored the government’s prioritization of safety and passenger welfare.
While the incident highlighted vulnerabilities in avionics software under rare environmental conditions, the collective response demonstrated the aviation community’s ability to swiftly mobilize resources, implement technical corrections, and minimize long-term disruption.