Airbus Grounds A320 Fleet Worldwide Over Major Glitch Affecting 6,000 Aircraft

PARIS, TOKYO – Airbus, the leading aircraft manufacturer, announced on November 28, 2025, that it is requesting the grounding of approximately 6,000 (some reports suggest 6,500) A320 series aircraft operating worldwide, following the discovery of a major malfunction in its flagship series. This large-scale grounding is expected to cause unprecedented disruption to the aviation industry, especially with the year-end and New Year holiday season approaching.

According to Airbus's announcement, it was discovered that when A320 series aircraft are exposed to strong solar radiation, there is a “possibility of corrupting data essential for flight control operations.” This malfunction is not due to mechanical failure or human error but rather an external factor – solar radiation – and its widespread implications have sent shockwaves through various sectors.

To resolve the issue, a software modification for the aircraft is required, which Airbus estimates will take several weeks to complete. This prolonged grounding is unavoidable and will severely impact airline flight schedules. In Japan, reports of ANA flight cancellations and delays are already circulating on social media. Many passengers who had planned travel are expressing concerns about cancellations and booking changes. As the A320 series is widely used, particularly by Low-Cost Carriers (LCCs), widespread disruption is anticipated.

Regarding this situation, while safety concerns such as “airplane malfunctions are frightening” have been expressed on social media, there are also many positive opinions, with some commending Airbus's swift action, stating that it is “rather commendable that the issue was identified and promptly announced before a major accident occurred.” Notably, some comments praised Airbus's commitment to safety, especially when compared to its competitor Boeing, which has faced quality control issues in recent years.

Nevertheless, the economic losses resulting from the grounding of numerous aircraft worldwide are immeasurable. Concerns are also emerging regarding the impact on travel insurance companies and the oligopolistic state of the aircraft market. Some voices are even hoping that this issue could pave the way for Japan's aircraft manufacturing industry to increase its participation.

Airbus has stated its full commitment to expediting the software modification and resuming operations, but the impact on global air passenger transport is expected to continue for some time.

The Context

The Airbus A320 family is a highly popular series of narrow-body, short-to-medium-range airliners, widely used by airlines worldwide, including numerous low-cost carriers (LCCs), making it a workhorse of global aviation. A grounding of this scale, affecting thousands of aircraft, is an extremely rare and severe event in the airline industry. Occurring just before the year-end and New Year holiday season, a peak travel period globally, it intensifies the potential for passenger inconvenience and economic impact.

The reference to competitor Boeing highlights recent scrutiny over Boeing's safety and quality control issues, particularly with its 737 MAX aircraft. Against this backdrop, Airbus's proactive and transparent handling of the A320 glitch, even though severe, is being viewed positively by some as a demonstration of a strong safety culture. The mention of Japan's aircraft manufacturing industry reflects a desire for increased domestic involvement in a market currently dominated by Airbus and Boeing, potentially driven by concerns over supply chain resilience and competition.