A major software recall affecting over 6,000 Airbus A320 family aircraft—representing more than half of the global fleet—prompted swift action from airlines worldwide on Saturday, November 29, 2025. The European planemaker’s directive mandated immediate software and hardware realignment, potentially disrupting travel across multiple regions.
Indian carriers demonstrated significant progress in addressing the technical glitch. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) reported that 270 of India’s 338 affected aircraft had already received the necessary software fix. Air India confirmed completion on over 40% of its impacted fleet with minimal schedule disruptions, while low-cost carrier IndiGo successfully updated 160 of its 200 affected aircraft.
Middle Eastern airlines similarly responded with efficiency. Gulf Air issued a statement confirming normal operations following immediate implementation of the mandatory update. Saudi Arabia’s Flynas completed upgrades without operational impact, and UAE authorities confirmed ongoing safety inspections for national carriers Air Arabia and Etihad Airways, which collectively operate 106 A320 aircraft.
Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury apologized to airlines and passengers for the unexpected recall that particularly affects Asian short-haul aviation markets. The A320 family recently surpassed Boeing’s 737 as the industry’s most-delivered model, making this recall particularly significant for global aviation.
Despite the massive scale of the recall, most airlines maintained normal operations with minimal cancellations. AirAsia targeted 48-hour completion for its fixes, while American Airlines reported 209 of its 480 jets required attention—below initial estimates—with most expected to be addressed by Saturday.