SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – November 29, 2025 – Jetstar Airways canceled over 90 domestic and international flights Saturday after a global Airbus recall grounded dozens of A320 jets for emergency software fixes, stranding thousands at Australian airports.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency ordered immediate changes to 6,000 A320-family planes—half the worldwide fleet—after a October JetBlue incident caused sudden altitude drops injuring passengers. Airbus cited "intense solar radiation" corrupting flight control data, risking structural failure if unaddressed.
Jetstar, worst hit locally, grounded 34 of 85 aircraft, mostly on the east coast. Cancellations rippled from Sydney to Perth, with Melbourne's Tullamarine seeing long queues. Chief Pilot Tyrone Symes confirmed disruptions through Sunday, urging passengers to check apps.
Qantas reported no impact, but Virgin Australia's four A320s in WA prompted minor reroutes. Air New Zealand canceled 65 flights globally. Colombian carrier Avianca halted sales until December 8, affecting 70% of its fleet.
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant warned of cascading effects during summer peaks. Airbus apologized for "operational disruptions," promising swift resolutions.
Travelers like Nikki Anderson in Melbourne described chaos: "We arrived expecting takeoff, only to learn our plane was grounded." Aid centers activated, with refunds processed.
This marks Airbus' largest recall in 55 years, overtaking Boeing's 737 amid safety scrutiny. Analysts predict Rs 1,300 crore in losses.
