Airbus A320 Software Glitch Causes Widespread Flight Disruptions in New Zealand

Global Software Issue Grounds Airbus A320 Fleet

A global software issue impacting the Airbus A320 family of aircraft has led to widespread flight cancellations and delays for airlines worldwide, including Air New Zealand and Jetstar in New Zealand. The disruption began on Friday, November 28, 2025, and continued through the weekend, affecting thousands of travelers.

The root of the problem lies within the aircraft's Elevator and Aileron Computer (ELAC), a critical flight control system manufactured by Thales. Airbus indicated that 'intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls,' affecting a 'significant number of A320 Family aircraft currently in-service.' This issue was brought to light following an incident on October 30, 2025, where a JetBlue-operated A320 experienced an in-flight control problem and a sudden loss of altitude, resulting in passenger injuries.

Impact on New Zealand Airlines and Travelers

Both of New Zealand's major domestic carriers, Air New Zealand and Jetstar, were significantly impacted. As a precautionary measure, Air New Zealand grounded its A320neo aircraft fleet to receive a necessary software update. The airline anticipated approximately 20 flight cancellations across the weekend, with schedules expected to normalize by Monday, December 1, 2025. Air New Zealand offered affected customers options including free changes, credit, or refunds.

Jetstar also experienced substantial disruption, cancelling around 90 flights. However, the airline moved swiftly, completing software updates on all its New Zealand-based aircraft by Saturday afternoon, November 29, 2025, allowing flights to resume as planned on Sunday, November 30, 2025.

Global Response and Resolution Efforts

The software recall is one of the largest in Airbus's 55-year history, affecting an estimated 6,000 A320 family aircraft globally. Aviation authorities, including the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), issued directives mandating the software fix. For most aircraft, the update involves reverting to an earlier software version and takes 'a few hours,' but a subset of planes may require more extensive hardware changes, potentially extending the process to 'weeks.'

Travelers at Auckland Airport reported scenes of 'chaos,' with long queues, confusion, and frustration due to the unexpected cancellations and delays. Airlines and Airbus have apologized for the inconvenience, emphasizing that safety remains the top priority during the resolution process.