Overview
- EASA ordered operators to apply the Airbus-prescribed fix before the next flight after a late-October JetBlue A320 experienced an uncommanded pitch-down and diverted to Tampa.
- Roughly 6,000 A320-family jets were flagged for action, with most cleared in a few hours by reverting the ELAC software to a prior version.
- Airlines reported uneven impacts as updates progressed: easyJet finished its fleet, Lufthansa and American cited mostly minor delays, and India’s DGCA said the majority of 338 affected jets were updated on schedule.
- Some carriers still face notable disruption, including Avianca, which expects significant operational impact and paused ticket sales until December 8, and Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific, which canceled more than 40 flights.
- While hundreds of older aircraft may need hardware changes, France’s transport minister said the number requiring prolonged work appears far lower than early estimates, and Thales noted the functionality at issue is software outside its responsibility.