TLDR
- Airbus stock dropped over 5% after announcing a software issue affecting about 6,000 A320-family jets caused by solar radiation corrupting flight control data
- The problem was discovered after a JetBlue flight experienced an uncommanded pitch down event on October 30, 2025
- Less than 100 planes still need modifications, with most fixes requiring a simple software rollback while 15% need hardware replacements
- A separate quality issue involving fuselage panels on several dozen A320 jets has also emerged, potentially delaying some deliveries
- Airlines globally responded quickly with most carriers completing updates, though some flights were cancelled during the fix rollout
Airbus stock fell 5.3% in Monday trading as the plane maker worked through a software recall affecting thousands of jets. The drop came after the company announced issues with flight controls that could be corrupted by intense solar radiation.
Airbus SE, AIR.PA
The European jet maker issued a “precautionary fleet action” on Friday for affected A320-family aircraft. The announcement came with a safety warning from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.
About 6,000 jets were impacted by the software issue. The A320 family includes A318, A319, A320, and A321 models, with more than 11,000 of these planes operating worldwide.
The problem surfaced after JetBlue flight 1230 experienced an uncommanded pitch down event on October 30. The autopilot stayed engaged during the brief altitude loss. The rest of the flight proceeded without further issues.
Airbus investigators identified a malfunction in the aircraft’s Elevator Aileron Computer, or ELAC, as a possible factor. The analysis revealed that intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to flight control systems.
The affected ELACs needed replacement or modification before their next flight. Thales manufactures the ELAC, though Deutsche Bank analyst Christophe Menard noted the company wasn’t responsible for the software at issue.
By Monday, the vast majority of the 6,000 potentially affected aircraft had received necessary modifications. Less than 100 planes remained to be fixed.
Fast Response Across Global Airlines
Airlines moved quickly to implement the required changes. American Airlines had four of its 209 affected aircraft still requiring attention by late Saturday. JetBlue cancelled dozens of flights for Sunday.
European carriers including easyJet, Wizz Air, and Lufthansa Group completed updates overnight. They expected normal operations to resume quickly.
In Asia-Pacific, ANA cancelled 95 flights on Saturday, affecting about 13,200 passengers. Jetstar Airways and Air New Zealand grounded parts of their fleets temporarily. IndiGo in India completed checks on 160 of 200 aircraft without cancelling flights.
Deutsche Bank said about 85% of the fleet could be repaired through a software update. The remaining 15% require hardware replacements involving ferrying aircraft to maintenance facilities.
New Quality Concerns Surface
A separate issue has emerged involving fuselage panels on several dozen A320-family jets. Reuters reported the flaw has begun delaying some deliveries, citing industry sources.
The origin of the panel problem had not yet been identified. There was no indication that aircraft already in service were affected.
The dual issues come as Airbus works toward its year-end delivery target of “around 820” aircraft. The company delivered 72 planes in November, bringing its 2025 total to 657.
Airbus would need to exceed its December 2019 record of 138 deliveries to meet the goal. Industry sources told Reuters that analysts were divided on whether the target was achievable.
RBC Capital Markets analyst Ken Herbert said Airbus indicated it “will not use this issue as a reason for not hitting its 2025 delivery guidance.”
Goldman Sachs said attention now shifts to parts availability for hardware replacements. The firm also noted the “risk of aircraft delivery disruption” in 2026.
Deutsche Bank said Airbus has not revised its full-year 2025 guidance. The bank highlighted that about 95% of the software-affected fleet could be operational by December 20, with remaining aircraft returning between January and March 2026.
Investors reacted nervously to the news despite the limited service impact. They remain attuned to software issues after faulty flight control software contributed to two deadly 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019. No accidents have been reported from the solar radiation impacts on A320 jets.
Airbus stock was up 19% for the year and 25% over the past 12 months before Monday’s drop.
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