Technical investigations point to a malfunction in one of the computers responsible for controlling the aircraft’s ailerons and elevators, known as the ELAC (Elevator Aileron Computer), as a key factor in the incident that triggered the alarm. Although the affected flight was completed without serious consequences for passengers or crew, the event has been considered serious enough to activate a global inspection protocol for the A320 fleet.
The Airbus communication acknowledges that a “significant number” of aircraft are potentially affected, which industry sources estimate at around 6,000 units from the A320 family, including the A319, A320 and A321 models and their neo versions. These aircraft are one of the main pillars of short- and medium-haul air traffic in Europe and other international markets, so any corrective action has an immediate impact on the operations of a large number of airlines.
To manage this situation, Airbus has issued an Alert Operators Transmission (AOT), in coordination with aviation authorities. In this document, airlines are urged to apply immediate preventive measures, including updating the software of the affected control systems, installing new ELAC units where necessary and implementing additional protections against the effects of solar radiation on onboard electronics.
EASA is expected to incorporate these recommendations into an emergency airworthiness directive, which will make the inspections and modifications to affected aircraft mandatory. Until these actions are completed, specific limitations and procedures are being established for certain phases of flight, with the aim of minimising any risk, strengthening the monitoring of automated systems and ensuring that flight crews have clear instructions in case of abnormal aircraft behaviour.
In its message to operators, Airbus acknowledges that the proposed measures will cause operational disruptions for airlines and passengers in the form of delays, aircraft changes, schedule adjustments or occasional cancellations. The manufacturer has apologised for any inconvenience these actions may cause, while stressing that safety remains its absolute priority and that it will work closely with airlines and regulators to speed up inspections and minimise the impact on air traffic.
Despite the magnitude of the alert, both Airbus and aviation authorities insist that this is a preventive action designed to correct any possible system vulnerability in advance, before it leads to a more serious problem. Currently, thousands of daily flights are operated with A320-family models, one of the most widely used aircraft by both full-service and low-cost carriers, which explains the speed with which the global inspection mechanism has been activated.
At a time of strong demand for air travel and full recovery of international tourism, the technical reliability of aircraft is essential to sustaining traveller confidence. By quickly identifying the problem, communicating directly with airlines and implementing corrective measures on a global scale, Airbus aims to reinforce that confidence and ensure that the A320 family continues to be a benchmark for safety and efficiency in skies around the world.
